Tropical Cyclone Fytia in Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Fytia struck Madagascar with destructive force, causing widespread flooding and major displacement. The storm made landfall on the island’s western coast with winds reaching 210 km/h, leaving tens of thousands of people affected and prompting ongoing emergency response efforts.

The most heavily impacted areas included Soalala, Marovoay, and Mahajanga in the northwest. The capital, Antananarivo, experienced flooding and structural collapses. The cyclone made landfall near Maunga in western Madagascar before moving back out to sea via Vatomandry on the east coast.

Reports indicated 7 deaths, more than 54,000 people affected, and over 8,000 displaced. More than 800 homes were completely destroyed, while over 6,000 were inundated. At least 24 classrooms were damaged.

Emergency teams, including the Malagasy Red Cross, conducted evacuations and provided relief assistance. Humanitarian agencies continued to assess the situation, and officials noted that figures could rise as access to affected areas improved.

Continued heavy rainfall was expected in northern and central-western regions, heightening the risk of further flooding and landslides. Flooding had also compromised dams and riverbanks, increasing the risk of secondary disasters.