A cyclone that hit Madagascar earlier this month has killed at least 44 people and left nearly 145 000 homeless, according to updated figures released by authorities on Sunday.
The numbers are almost twice estimates released on Friday of 29 people dead and 70 000 homeless from the category-three cyclone.
The storm hit 12 of the island’s 22 regions, including the rice-producing area of Alaotra Mangoro, 150km north-east of the capital Antananarivo.
Authorities have launched an appeal for international assistance to the Indian Ocean nation, which is already one of the world’s poorest.
With winds gusting up to 230km/h, cyclone Ivan struck eastern Madagascar on February 17. It was the most destructive yet of the current cyclone season after Fame, which killed 13 people last month. — Sapa-AFP