[WATCH]: Cyclone Batsirai Destruction in Madagascar

On Saturday afternoon the tropical cyclone Batsirai hit the town of Mananjary in Madagascar the hardest, with recorded winds peaking at 235 kilometers per hour, its destruction left thousands homeless and at least ten dead. 

The Level of Destruction

Faly Aritiana Fabien from Madagarscars Disaster Management Agency stated that the “intense tropical cyclone” maintained wind speeds of 165 kilometers per hour. While the strongest gusts hit up to 235 kilometers per hour. Although, as of Sunday cyclone Batsirai had weakened significantly. Having reduced wind speeds to 80 kilometers per hour, with the strongest gusts being 110 kilometers per hour.

When Batsirai hit Madagascar, much of the country experienced heavy rains and winds. Uprooting trees and destroying buildings. Plus, affected areas can expect some heavy flooding from excessive rainfall. In the eastern town of Mahanoro, rising waves eroded the sands covering a cemetery. Exposing many bodies. And even in Antsirabe, some 200 kilometers from the coast, large trees were ripped from the ground. However, the town of Mananjary was hit the hardest by far, as cyclone Basirai destroyed almost 95% of its infrastructure.

Still Recovering from Ana

To top it off, cyclone Batsirai has reaped its destruction less than one month after cyclone Ana hit. Which affected over 130 000 people across Madagascar and killed more than 50 people. Storm Ana also caused serious damage and deaths in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The Effects of Global Warming

Global warming is playing a major role in increasing the risk of tropical storms such as these. And on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterates this as he claims Africa is “experiencing the worst impacts of phenomena associated with global warming such as droughts, floods and cyclones”. He also adds that “Despite not being responsible for causing climate change, it is Africans who are bearing both the brunt and the cost”.