Madagascar counts cyclone cost
2008-02-28 08:47
Antananarivo - As the death toll in the cyclone that swept over Madagascar earlier this month rose to at least 60 people, authorities were on Wednesday assessing the damage to the impoverished island's tourist infrastructure.
The intensity of tropical cyclone Ivan after it slammed into the east coast of the Indian Ocean island on February 17 was comparable to that of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city of New Orleans in August 2005, experts said.
At least 148 000 people were left homeless as Ivan ripped across the country at speeds of up to 230km an hour.
The death toll stood at 60 on Wednesday, but was likely to rise as a further 17 people reported missing a week ago were still unaccounted for, the national disaster agency said. Around 480 people were injured.
Most of the harvest of the staple rice crop was also destroyed in the accompanying heavy rains, leaving thousands of people in need of food aid.
Up to 80% of the tourist infrastructure along the east coast, including the popular holiday island of Sainte Marie, was destroyed as metres-high waves toppled entire buildings.
Tourism was one of Madagascar's biggest foreign exchange earners. The world's fourth-largest island, which was renowned for its beaches and biodiversity, was particularly popular with tourists from the former colonial power, France.
Sapa-dpa
- SAPA