Intense Tropical Cyclone "Hellen" weakened into a depression and exited the island this morning, 01 April. It is currently located 140 km north of Beselampy. While wind speeds have decreased to 45 km/h (with peaks of 60 km/h), continued rains could still bring flooding and landslides, although these rains are also expected to lessen tomorrow. A Blue (post-cyclone) Alert remains in place for the regions of Boeny and Melaky.
While this system has been remarkably erratic, according to the National Meteorological Department it is currently too weak to re-intensify. Attached is a map showing latest predicted trajectory.
A boat capsized off the coast of north-west Madagascar yesterday, killing three people with nine still missing. Telephone lines are intact, and the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) in consultation with local authorities have assessed many of the affected districts – this information is being compiled. However, due to inaccessibility, certain remote and generally thinly populated areas have not yet been assessed, in particular in Soalala and Mitsinjo districts.
Due to bad weather, aerial assessments will only start tomorrow early morning over such isolated areas. So far assessments indicate that 856 people have been displaced, many of them having moved preemptively, and most should be able to return home in the coming days. In Mahajanga and Soalala around 100 houses were reportedly destroyed. Furthermore, 3 schools were damaged, 4 water points flooded, and over 2,000 ha of rice fields submerged.
The Food Security Cluster is planning an assessment in the coming week to determine longer-term impacts.
The Ministry of Health, supported by partners, is mobilizing pre-positioned medical supplies for 1,000 people, while BNGRC has around 2 tons of food for distribution. WFP is also dispatching one ton of high energy biscuits and 35 tons of foodstuffs to support the response.
An operational base has been established at Mahajanga, with a 500 ton-capacity warehouse open to all humanitarian partners. Other humanitarian partners are also supporting the response.
Cordialement,
Benoit Pylyser
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
On surge in Madagascar
Mobile: +263 772 125 282 (roaming)
Email: pylyser@un.org
Skype: benoitpylyser
