The United States Embassy in Madagascar has issued a Weather alert on Cyclone Emnati which formed over the central Indian Ocean on 16 February and has been moving west-southwestwards over central Madagascar. Pindula News presents the advisory below:
Location: Madagascar
Event: Cyclone Emnati may become classified as an intense tropical cyclone and the equivalent of a major Category 4 hurricane before making landfall on the eastern coastline around the region of Manajary tomorrow Tuesday, February 22, and then move across the island in a southwesterly direction and into the Channel of Mozambique. Emnati is expected to impact Madagascar tomorrow and Wednesday with heavy rain and strong winds, which may cause flooding and landslides, as well as power and water outages. Windy.com is a good resource for the storm’s progress.
U.S. government personnel are advised to take the following precautions: reconsider travel and stay home; stock sufficient supplies of emergency drinking water, food, and fuel; fill bathtubs with water; keep flashlights, cell phones, and other electronic devices fully charged; secure windows and loose items on the exterior of homes and yards, including patio furniture and other items susceptible to high winds.
The Embassy remains on maximum telework and onsite-dependent functions due to the COVID-19 conditions in country.
Actions to Take:
Monitor local media for updates.
- Notify family and friends of your safety.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Seek secure shelter.
- Anticipate and prepare for possible disruptions to electricity and water supply.
Assistance:
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Embassy Antananarivo, Madagascar (+261) 20 23 480 00 (+261) 20 23 480 00 (after hours) Lot 207 A – Andranoro – Antehiroka 105 Antananarivo – Madagascar antanACS@state.gov State Department—Consular Affairs: 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Meanwhile, the Relief Web reports that:
- On 20-21 February, Tropical Cyclone EMNATI passed approximately 370 km north of La Réunion and is currently moving south-west, towards central Madagascar. On 21 February at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located 490 km east of Toamasina City (central-eastern Madagascar) with maximum sustained winds of 190 km/h.
- The Interdepartmental Crisis Management Operational Centre (COGIC) reports 25 800 families affected by water disruptions and 7 000 others without power supply in La Réunion.
- EMNATI is expected to continue moving south-west and it will make landfall in an area between the cities of Vatomandry and Farafangana (central-southern Madagascar) on the morning of 22 February, with maximum sustained winds up to 180 km/h, as reported by Meteo Madagascar. Later on 22 February, it will cross southern Madagascar.
- On 21-22 February, heavy rain and strong winds are forecast across most parts of central and southern Madagascar (under yellow warnings for cyclones) and La Réunion.
- Furthermore, following the passage of DUMAKO over central-northern Madagascar on 15 February, 14 people have died, more than 4 300 were displaced and almost 9 560 were affected.