East African Nation Devastated by Cyclone, Resulting in Multiple Fatalities

At least 18 individuals have lost their lives and thousands have been forced to evacuate due to the impact of tropical cyclone Gamane in Madagascar this week, as reported by Reuters on Friday.

The National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) revealed that hundreds of homes were destroyed when the cyclone made landfall on Wednesday and Thursday, deviating from its initial projected trajectory.

The BNGRC report indicated that three people were injured, four were missing, and around 7,000 individuals were affected by the cyclone. General Elack Andriakaja, the director general of the BNGRC national disaster management office, described the cyclone’s unusual behavior, noting its slow movement.

Cyclone Gamane struck the northeastern coast of Madagascar near Vohémar on Wednesday morning, with sustained winds of 150km per hour and gusts up to 210km per hour. By Thursday afternoon, the cyclone had weakened and dissipated, causing infrastructure damage in the northern region of the country.