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Flash Update: Tropical Storm AVA Approaching Madagascar | 4 January 2018

Countries
Madagascar
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

Highlights

  • Tropical Storm AVA is expected to strengthen during the next 24 hours off the north-east coast of Madagascar.

  • The system has changed trajectory but is still expected to move towards the east coast of Madagascar on 5 January 2018 and continue southward along the coast.

  • The system is already causing heavy rainfall in affected areas of Madagascar and is impacting weather patterns in Réunion Island and Mauritius.

  • Tropical Storm AVA is the first named storm of the season in the Indian Ocean.

Situation

Madagascar remains on alert as Tropical Storm AVA moves slowly towards the island’s east coast. The weather system is already causing weather disturbances in northern Madagascar and on the islands of Réunion and Mauritius. It is expected to approach Madagascar on 5 January 2018 and continue southward along the eastern coast of the country. The storm is expected to cause strong winds, heavy rains and storm surge, generating a significant risk of flooding and landslides along the eastern coast. The Malagasy authorities have issued a yellow alert (threat of cyclone but not immediate danger) for Antalaha and Mandritsara districts, and Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Alaotra Mangoro and Vatovavy Fitovinany regions. In addition, several districts are on green alert (presence of a cyclone in the area, but the threat to the area is not yet confirmed).

Response readiness

The Malagasy Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et Catastrophes (BNGRC) is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating the response. Humanitarian supplies were pre-positioned in 29 districts across the country—including those expected to be affected by Tropical Storm AVA—ahead of the cyclone season to support any required response. Emergency teams are on standby and several have already deployed, including to Toamasina/Tamatave, the capital of Atsinana region, one of the areas that is expected to be first affected by the tropical storm.

The next Flash Update will be issued as soon as more information is available.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.