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Southern Africa: Cyclone Belna - Flash Update No. 4 (As of 10 December 2019)

Countries
Madagascar
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tropical Cyclone Belna made landfall in Soalala district in the west of Madagascar on the afternoon of 9 December, bringing strong winds and torrential rain.

• At least two people have reportedly died and at least three more are missing.

• Houses have been damaged and Soalala hospital was flooded when a protective dyke cracked.

• Belna has weakened into a tropical storm and is moving towards the south, where it is expected to bring further rain and the risk of flooding.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Tropical Cyclone Belna made landfall in Amparafa village— in Soalala district of Boeny region—on the western coast of Madagascar, at around 2:30 p.m. (local time) on 9 December 2019.
In Soalala district, which has a population of 41,000, at least two people have died, three are missing and more than 1,400 have been displaced, according to the Government. These figures may rise as further information becomes available from affected areas.

Numerous houses have been affected, including some that lost their roofs. A protective dyke was damaged, causing sea water to flood parts of Soalala town, including the hospital. At least eight administrative offices were impacted by the storm. In Mahajanga district, more than 170 people were evacuated and are being hosted in accommodation sites.

As of 10 December, Belna weakened into a tropical storm and is continuing its trajectory southwards. Heavy rains are forecasted in the regions of Melaky and Menabe, where there is risk of flooding.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) pre-deployed teams to key locations to prepare for landfall, and preventive evacuations were undertaken in Boeny region. All schools along the western coast of Madagascar were closed and the Early Warning System for Morondava River in Menabe region has been activated and regular bulletins are being published informing of the level of the river.

The BNGRC is planning to distribute 5 tons of rice in the most affected districts, and clean-up has begun in Mahajanga city. There are 11 humanitarian partners operational in north-western areas of Madagascar. The BNGRC is convening regular meetings with key government agencies and humanitarian partners.

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