Emnati left Madagascar at 9 p.m. (local time) to join the Mozambique Channel. The tropical cyclone that hit the east coast of the Big Island yesterday around 10:30 p.m. left behind towns and villages hit by rain and winds at more than 200 km / h.
With our correspondent in Antananarivo, Sarah Tetaud
Winds slightly less strong than during Batsirai, but an intense sensation of breath that never stops. On the East Coast, Emnati will have stagnated 1 p.m. An eternity for the inhabitants.
Waking up this morning, the population seemed somewhat relieved at the damage. But Colonel Faly, who coordinates emergency activities at the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management, warns: “ Less than 24 hours from the passage of the cyclone, the damage is difficult for the moment to assess in terms of level of severity. However, if we look at the houses – because some populations have tried to quickly rebuild their houses – it has been noticed that the roofs have flown away, even the houses have collapsed… again. Furthermore, many houses were already down. So difficult even a posteriori, to say if it is worse or not. »
In Manakara, the city located about ten kilometers from the point of impact of the cyclone, many huts are on the ground, the sand has covered the streets.
Fanja Ratsiferana, Emergency Field Coordinator at Action Against Hunger, says: “ I think people were more prepared because I see a lot of sandbags on the roofs. Nevertheless, there are many buildings that are disheveled. Where I am, near the hospital, I can count eleven houses whose roofs have blown off. The sea invaded the part of the fishing village. And also a lot of trees fell on the road ; people try to clean up. There, we are in the process of launching the first assessment but at first glance, aid for construction, food and water will be the immediate needs of the population. »
In Mananjary, the damage was less significant, says this resident. Perhaps, she concedes, because most of the houses had already fallen two weeks ago: “ This time, we are all prepared for the passage of Emnati. So in my neighborhood, it went better. So there is not too much damage. On the other hand, almost all the trees were damaged. So there are no breadfruits, there are no more green bananas. So everyone is starving. We desperately need food… »
end of the world show
This afternoon, the assessment missions started. The first overflight of the disaster areas will take place tomorrow. Farafangana, this coastal town south of the impact will be closely watched. It recorded much more damage than during Batsirai, explains Marc, a resident, who claims to have experienced the worst cyclone of his life: “ Frankly, I was very scared. We were seriously shaken by the passage of cyclone Emnati. Because the wind starts blowing from 5 p.m. And things got worse from 1am until 4am… That’s where the damage happened. It’s kind of a doomsday show. There are electric wires fallen on the ground, trees, sheet metal, there is a lot of damage, and few people circulating. Few shops open as well. »
24 hours after the passage of the cyclone, certain districts crossed by Emnati remain cut off from the world. Electricity has not yet been restored. At least ten roads are cut. Telecommunications networks are only beginning to function again. Difficult under these conditions to establish an initial assessment.
Emergency response teams, pre-positioned to rescue the population after Batsirai, begin a new cycle, this time for Emnati. Like an air of deja vu. Emnati is the fourth cyclone to hit Madagascar in a month. In early February, Cyclone Batsirai killed at least 121 people, destroyed thousands of homes and devastated crops. Thousands of people are still homeless. In January, Tropical Storm Ana had already killed around 100 people in Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
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