Cyclone Jizani in Madagascar: 20 dead and powerful winds

Madagascar has been struck by another natural disaster, with at least 20 people killed and 33 others injured, some critically, after Tropical Cyclone Jizani swept across the Indian Ocean island's mainland. The cyclone caused widespread panic and destruction, bringing winds exceeding 195 kilometers per hour, according to local authorities.

Details of the disaster and rescue operations

Officials in Madagascar confirmed that emergency and rescue teams are continuing their operations under extremely difficult conditions to reach the affected areas, amid ongoing warnings of potential flash floods due to the heavy rains accompanying the cyclone. Authorities are assessing the material damage to homes and infrastructure, while the injured have been transported to available medical centers for treatment.

Difficult climatic context: one hurricane after another

This disaster is not an isolated event, coming shortly after another devastating blow to the island. At the beginning of February, Tropical Cyclone Fitia struck Madagascar's west coast, leaving at least seven dead and forcing more than 20,000 people to flee their homes in search of shelter. This close succession of cyclones places immense pressure on the country's resources and its capacity for rapid disaster response.

Madagascar and the cyclone season: geographical background

Madagascar, the world's fourth-largest island, is one of the most tropical cyclone-prone areas in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The cyclone season typically runs from November to April, with the country facing devastating storms annually, often resulting in significant loss of life and property. The island's geography and the limited infrastructure in rural areas exacerbate the suffering of the local population with each rainy season.

Climate change and the increasing intensity of storms

Meteorologists and climate experts indicate that the frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Indian Ocean may be steadily increasing as a result of global climate change. Rising ocean surface temperatures are providing storms with additional energy, making them more violent and bringing unprecedented rainfall. This reality presents international and regional challenges in providing support to Madagascar and other developing island nations to enhance their resilience to these extreme weather events.