Madagascar hit by floods
2007-02-19 22:24
Antananarivo - At least 25 000 people are in need of humanitarian aid after a series of floods in Madagascar, while another tropical storm threatens the island's southwest region, said a government official on Monday.
Rising flood waters have covered houses, cut off main roads, and destroyed an estimated 200 000 tons of rice on the world's fourth-largest island.
"The number of victims has risen to 24 780 people... but this number will rise because some affected regions have not yet been able to send their figures," said Jacky Rolland Randimbiarison, executive secretary of the island's emergency management agency.
So far this cyclone season - which usually lasts between November and March - six cyclones have hit Madadgascar, the worst of which were Bondo and Clovis in January, said Randimbiarison.
He said another tropical storm, Favio, was threatening southwestern Madagascar.