/ 19 March 2007

Madagascar counts cost of Cyclone Indlala

Twelve people were killed and about 14 000 made homeless after a cyclone struck northern Madagascar last week, according to revised figures released on Monday.

A toll on Sunday said cyclone Indlala, the deadliest so far this season, had killed two people in Antalaha, 570km north-east of the capital of the Indian Ocean island.

But national emergencies chief Jacky Randriaharison said on Monday that at least 10 people had also died on Saturday and Sunday in Ambanja, 625km north of the capital. He also revised upwards the toll of those made homeless.

”Following the passage of Indlala, we have counted 13 999 affected people who have had to leave their houses that were flooded or completely destroyed,” he said, adding that they were now housed in schools, churches and community buildings.

The cyclone left a trail of devastation in its wake after striking on Thursday, damaging buildings and infrastructure.

Indlala is the sixth cyclone to hit the island since the beginning of December. Cyclone season in the region runs between December and March.

Two people were killed on December 26 when Cyclone Bondo reached the south-western Menabe region. — Sapa-AFP