Madagascar: Recovery efforts ongoing as of April 27 following passage of Tropical Storm Jasmine

Event

Recovery efforts are ongoing in parts of southern Madagascar following the passage of Tropical Storm Jasmine as of April 27. The storm system made landfall near Toliara in Atsimo-Andrefana Region late April 26 as a moderate tropical storm and weakened to a zone of disturbed weather as it tracked across southern Madagascar late April 26-early April 27 before exiting into the Indian Ocean off Atsimo-Atsinanana Region April 27. The majority of the disruptions reported so far have been in Atsimo-Andrefana Region, near where the storm system made landfall. Strong winds and rough seas are expected to continue to coastal parts of the country through at least April 28.

As of April 27, initial reports from the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) have stated that two fatalities occurred in Toliara during the passage of the storm, and 116 people from 37 households across Atsimo-Andrefana Region have been affected, including 16 people sheltering in emergency accommodation in Toliara. Five houses have been destroyed and 25 others damaged. The storm weakened upon making landfall; however, further reports of damage from other parts of southern Madagascar are possible as damage assessments are carried out in the coming days.

As of April 27, the Madagascar General Directorate of Meteorology is maintaining a blue cyclone backup alert following the passing of Jasmine. Red strong wind warnings are being maintained across the southwestern and southeastern coastline and yellow strong wind warnings for parts of the eastern coastline. Red strong swell warnings are in place along the southwestern and southeastern coastlines and yellow and green strong swell warnings for parts of the western and eastern coastlines. Authorities will likely update or rescind existing alerts in the coming hours and days as the remnants of the system track away from Madagascar.

Context

Jasmine is the latest in a series of storms to impact Madagascar since Jan. 2022, including Tropical Storm Ana Jan. 22-25, Tropical Cyclone Batsirai Jan. 27-Feb. 9, Tropical Storm Dumako Feb. 13-16, Tropical Cyclone Emnati Feb. 16-24, and Tropical Cyclone Gombe March 7-10. The storms have resulted in over 200 fatalities and affected hundreds of thousands of people across Madagascar.

Advice

Monitor local media for updates and advisories on weather conditions. Make allowances for possible supply chain disruptions in affected areas. Do not drive on flooded roads. Charge battery-powered devices in case prolonged electricity outages occur.

Use extreme caution in low-lying areas and near streams, creeks, and other waterways due to the potential for flooding. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where flooding has occurred. Confirm flights before checking out of hotels or driving to the airport; clearing passenger backlogs may take several days in some locations.

Resources

Madagascar General Directorate of Meteorology (French)
Madagascar National Office for Risk and Disaster Management Facebook (BNGRC) (French)