Madagascar: Gamane begins to develop wounds.

Rédaction Africa Links 24 with lexpress
Published on 2024-03-27 02:45:00

As expected, the 9th tropical system of the 2023/2024 season, named Gamane, has intensified into a tropical storm. New floods are still to be feared.

Disturbed conditions such as continuous rain, strong winds, degraded sea conditions, affect the northern and northeastern part of the Great Island, the extent of which remains uncertain and will be refined soon. According to the weather report in the morning, its eye was located 150 km northeast of Iharana (Vohémar).

After a particularly rainy weekend, the entire Sava region is now affected by heavy rainfall. The continuous rain since the weekend continues to raise fears of new floods. It has already caused damage in several municipalities. And this meteorological event, while not a cyclone, presents serious risks of rising waters. Depending on the affected cities, Gamane could cause floods, landslides in vulnerable areas, building collapses and could make road traffic perilous. It is also suspected that the sea will rise on the coasts of Sava starting from Wednesday.

In the cities of Sambava and Antalaha, populations in several low-lying neighborhoods are living with their feet in water. For three days, rain has succeeded showers, storms and precipitation. The ground is waterlogged and the risk of flooding is very high. In Antalaha, Sambava, Iharana, water is present. Houses and offices are submerged.

Heavy Situation

Mention includes the offices of the regional directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development in Sambava where files are all wet. The situation becomes heavy and citizens who suffer the whims of the sky are already impatient to see lasting relief. The floods have forced some residents to leave their homes. Some fear the appearance of diseases due to precarious sanitary conditions.

“Most of the low-lying neighborhoods have been under water since Sunday, due to the heavy rains that surprised the populations, although there has not been a huge impact so far in terms of material damage,” said Abdou, a resident of Sambava.

According to information received from a colleague in Iharana, traffic on the RN5A Vohémar-Sambava National Road is closed due to flooding at the Antsahambovo and Berahara bridges in the Ampondra commune. As a result of increased rainfall in recent days, part of the inter-village roads has become almost impassable. Fields are totally or partially submerged since yesterday.

For now, due to persistent rains, two regions, Diana and Analanjirofo, are under a yellow alert, synonymous with a threat of flooding. Others have received a warning to prepare for possible rising waters.

On the other hand, the Prefect of Antsiranana, Lucien Manajara, through a mediated statement, encouraged sea users not to venture out until the danger is completely averted. So far, no injuries or deaths have been reported.

-Raheriniaina

Read the original article(French) on lexpress.mg