Two dead in Madagascar cyclone

2006-12-26 19:28

Antananarivo - Two people were killed when a cyclone hit the northern coast of Madagascar on Tuesday, before losing strength as it moved towards the south of the island, said meteorological authorities.

Cyclone Bondo reached the southwestern Menabe region by midday, by which time it had lost much of its initial destructive power, Madagascan weather bulletins reported.

"There was one death in (northwestern) Mahajanga after a wall collapsed and one man was missing presumed dead in (northeastern) Antahala after taking his family out in a canoe," said Jacky Randriaharison, national emergencies chief.

The missing man's family survived, said Randriaharison.

38 households affected

These are the first cyclone deaths since January 2005 when 17 were confirmed killed and 139 were reported missing, presumed dead, in Cyclone Ernest.

"In Mahajanga, 38 households or about 300 people were affected, trees were cut, roofs were damaged and some places lost electricity," said Randriaharison.

The emergency services council met on Tuesday morning to co-ordinate first aid to the areas and send teams to evaluate the damage.

"For the moment, the risks are not too significant, but a new (tropical depression weather) system is forming in the north" of Madagascar, warned Randriaharison.

A warning of imminent danger from Cyclone Bondo remained in effect in several districts.

The Indian Ocean island is particularly vulnerable to cyclones between December and March.

- SAPA