Tropical Cyclone Faida is expected to make landfall in Madagascar on February 4, following the deadly impact of Cyclone Elvis, which claimed five lives. Elvis caused severe weather and heavy rainfall, while Faida, anticipated to strengthen, poses additional threats to various regions of Madagascar. Recent storms highlight the urgency for improved forecasting as climate change intensifies storm activity in the area.
Madagascar is preparing for the landfall of Tropical Cyclone Faida on February 4, while grappling with the aftermath of Cyclone Elvis, which resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals. The European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) reported that casualties in the Vohibato district were linked to lightning strikes during Elvis’s passage. In addition, two individuals sustained injuries.
Cyclone Elvis emerged in the Mozambique Channel on January 28 and impacted Madagascar’s southwestern coast the following day, bringing heavy rains and strong winds with maximum speeds of 84 kilometers per hour (52 miles per hour). The cities of Toliara and Taolagnaro recorded remarkable rainfall totals of 196 and 178 millimeters (7.7 and 7 inches) over five days, respectively. The cyclone subsequently dissipated over the southern Indian Ocean over the weekend.
Madagascar is now facing the consequences of Tropical Cyclone Faida, which formed on January 23 and previously impacted Mauritius and Réunion Island before heading toward northern Madagascar. The ECHO report from February 3 indicates that Faida has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph) and may strengthen as it progresses westward, affecting regions including Analamanga and Alaotra Mangoro after making landfall on February 4.
Authorities on Réunion Island have urged residents to remain vigilant regarding weather updates and to prepare emergency provisions. This follows a recent series of storms, including Cyclone Dikeledi, which had significant effects on Madagascar and southern Africa, resulting in flooding and landslides that killed at least ten people. Notably, Dikeledi also had catastrophic effects on ecological sites, particularly a tortoise sanctuary.
Recently, meteorological experts convened in Zambia to improve storm forecasting methodologies in Southern Africa, which is anticipated to experience a surge in storm activity due to climate change. The U.K. Met Office has indicated that the region will face intensified storms, following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido in December.
The increasing intensity and frequency of tropical cyclones in Madagascar and surrounding regions are becoming a pressing concern due to the impacts of climate change. Recent storms, including Cyclones Elvis and Dikeledi, have caused considerable loss of life and environmental devastation, highlighting the need for improved meteorological forecasting and disaster preparedness. Understanding these events helps contextualize the ongoing challenges faced by Madagascar in managing natural disasters while ensuring the safety and welfare of its population.
Madagascar continues to face dire challenges as Cyclone Faida approaches, following the tragic consequences of Cyclone Elvis which killed five individuals. The region’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones underscores the urgent need for enhanced forecasting and preparedness strategies amidst escalating climate-related threats across Southern Africa. This situation calls for coordinated efforts to safeguard communities and ecosystems at risk from future storm impacts.
Original Source: news.mongabay.com
