Saturday, 23 February 2008

23 February - Slideshow

The below slideshow shows some images from the areas of Madagascar, affected by Hurricane Ivan. Some captions are in French, but even if you do not understand the language, the impact is clear enough.

Friday, 22 February 2008

22 February

I have found out that the 9 people feared dead at Sainte Marie on Sunday, were in fact alive.

22 February - News in brief

Floods - The danger is always there. The warning issued yesterday by the Authority for protection against flooding of the plain of Antananarivo is still maintained. The level of Ikopa exceeded the alert for danger. It climbed 4 cm in 24 hours and La Mamba River, which also climbed 10 cm in 24 hours. That of Sisaony fell by 36 cm in 24 hours and will also remain stationary during the next 12 hours.

Help - French donation at Toamasina. A humanitarian cargo estimated at 657 million Ar is moving towards Toamasina. It is a help of the French Red Cross and the Platform for regional intervention of the Indian Ocean. The cargo of 12 tons is composed, among others, generators, chainsaws and tarpaulins.

Vavatenina
Threat of diarrhea
 
Diarrhoeal diseases are emerging in the district of Vavatenina. "Three fokontany are currently affected by diarrhoea," says Colonel Jean Rakotomalala, Executive Secretary, National Bureau of risk management and disaster (BNGRC).
Although stocks of medicines are already available in the areas affected by the hurricane, "the body of water throughout the island promoting the emergence of diseases associated with the phenomenon," suggests, for his part, Jean Louis Robinson, Minister of Health, Family Planning and Social Welfare.
On the other hand, dressed in the capital complain that the thrust of malaria. In other areas, health officials say an outbreak of dysentery is also a risk.

22 February - Appeal for aid

The government has appealed for international aid
 
"Both natural disasters have weakened Malagasy population. The needs are great in Madagascar. "These are the terms that Marcel Ranjeva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, launched yesterday in Anosy, the call for international solidarity. Fame and Ivan have ravaged in the Great Island. These hurricanes resulted in 42 fatalities, more than
80000 affected thousands

Cases of housing destroyed and more than 18000 hectares of rice fields flooded, according to the National Bureau of risk management and disaster (BNGRC). "Stocks to rescue the thousands of people who find themselves in an emergency situation are exhausted," says Colonel Jean Rakotomalala, Executive Secretary of BNGRC.
Heads of diplomatic missions and representatives of the international community have paid attention to the presentation of the heavy toll in the aftermath hurricane. Destroyed infrastructure, agriculture affected tourism in critical condition, the Great Island faces enormous needs. Although relief and interventions have been completed, the materials available are almost inadequate.

At last report, 29 deaths were recorded after the passage of Ivan. 70% of the roads are cut off. No figure has been put forward with regard to the needs. The UN system, represented by Xavier Leus, has confirmed its commitment to mobilise the international community. "We will use the funds rotation UN immediate release funds, in order to better assist the affected population," he says.

For his part, Jean Claude Boidin, ambassador of the European Union, did not hide his availability for the reconstruction of road infrastructure and strengthening the prepositioning stocks.

22 February - Rice production threatened

Rice production threatened

The Mangoro Alaotra region has suffered greatly from Hurricane Ivan. 15000 hectares of rice fields were flooded. Growers have a lot to do to get out.
 
The movement is no possible by canoe to reach both ends of Antanambe. The town was cut off during the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
Producers have to worry. The Hurricane Ivan could jeopardize the rice-growing season of 2008. Much of the extent of the Rice Lake Alaotra was hit by the flood. Seedlings seem not to bear the long-term immersion. This can significantly affect production this season.

The failure of dikes for protection and the collapse of some dams has caused enormous damage. Regional managers are reporting an area of 15000 hectares of rice fields flooded, as an estimate. And the balance may grow in the coming days. The reports are steadily converging to the office of chief Alaotra region-Mangoro.

In the district of Ambatondrazaka, over 30% of rice fields in the valley are flooded . The rice seedlings planted a few weeks ago are totally immersed. "There is very little chance to save the rice crop, unless the waters drain sooner," says Christian Rabearihanta, president of the federation of peasants in the valley Mariane. "The next harvest is likely to be compromised," says he.

At Amparafaravola, waters overflowed from the Sahamaloto dam. The flooding has severely affected the surrounding rice fields. "This kind of incident occurs rarely in the area. The latest dated back to 1958 and 1972, "says David Alexander Robinson, head of the region Alaotra-Mangoro.

Short Cycle
So far, no local officials can evaluate the surface damaged by the overflow from the  Sahamaloto dam. In many cases, the breakdown of protective embankments has aggravated the situation. The dam located in Marofinaritra, in the municipality of Ambohijanahary to Amparafaravola transferred Monday. In addition to the flooding of paddy fields, several villages located downstream are temporarily abandoned. Residents are forced to flee the lower area, leaving behind stocks of rice, often estimated at a few tons of paddy, and the means of production such as tillers, tractors, ploughs.

Questioned on the future of rice cultivation for the 2008 season, local authorities remain optimistic. "The rice plants have a capacity of resistance of a week. After this time, it no longer can expect much and we must start all over again, "says Jean Louis Robinson, Health Minister

Box
The rice granary threatened
362000 tons of rice produced in 2007, the region of Alaotra-Mangoro, the first rice granary of Madagascar, might not beat the record of last year in view of the prevailing situation.
The silting, the strong current of water and rotting plants threaten production for the next harvest.
According to the statistics, the region Alaotra-Mangoro hitherto provides 30% of national production of rice annually, or an average of 350000 tonnes. The bulk of the quantity supplied is intended to resupply the local market. A portion is reserved for export.

Thursday, 21 February 2008

21 February - The Homeless

Victims of Hurricane Ivan
The crowd housed in tents
The conditions of disaster victims evacuated from Anosimahavelona are precarious. put up in tents, they lack a minimum of comfort.
 
Some disaster victims are beginning to suffer from the cold.

At Anosizato West, one of the sites hosting evacuees to Anosimahavelona on the night of Feb. 18, eighty people live under one tent. The surface estimated at 144 m2 excludes tramway for the occupants.
A total of 2400 people, distributed in a dozen tents have sought refuge on this site Anosizato West. At night, they find it difficult to sleep. "I find it hard to bear the air confined here, with all the world," complains Richard Rakotonandrasana, one of the flood victims.
On the other hand, the common problem faced by these refugees is the fight against humidity. Water seeps in tents, as overnight advance, preventing them from sleeping well.
At the time of the evacuation, the majority of families were unable to recover a single coverage. Some of them go to bed in wet clothes. Suzanne Razanadratsimba, a mother of the family is still in shock from the flood that swept away all his belongings.
"I feel like reliving the nightmare of the flooding of the night when we were rescued at Anosimahavelona," said she in the media. She and her companions want officials soon found a solution to this uncomfortable humidity.

Emerging diseases
Already, the diseases associated with intolerance to cold is felt. Headaches, colic and malaria are the first diagnoses made by the officers of the Red Cross Analamanga during their descent on the ground in the morning yesterday.
Also, the food-they are beginning to do The same scenario occurs at Tanjombato,
Next to the Smart Gallery, the second site to house the disaster of Anosimahavelona.

Box
Officials relief inundated.
The region Analamanga recorded the largest number with 15000 affected on 20000 identified throughout Madagascar.
The homeless are divided into sixty-ten tents prepositioned by the National Bureau of risk management and disaster (BNGRC).
Tiraillé between relief required at all affected in the four corners of the island and the division of labour, BNGRC is overwhelmed by its mission. The affected Analamanga complain of a lack of tents.

21 February - Death toll hits 22

REVIEW
22 dead across Madagascar
 
Ivan has made 22 victims across Madagascar. The town of Moramanga Beparasy reports eleven people dead and nine wounded. Another victim, in the district of Ambatondrazaka, added to the figure put forward by the head of Mangoro Alaotra region, Alexandre David Robinson. After gusts caused by Ivan in the region Analanjirofo, two people have also died.

In the northern part of the island, the collapse of a house in a district fokontany Andapa has taken the lives of eight people, according to a correspondent for the local Malagasy National Radio. While at Ifanadiana, a reporter from the station announced yesterday that a person has been washed away by floods.

The statement is still being developed and is likely to grow before all data received from the National Bureau of risk management and disaster are complete.

21 February (II)

BLOCKED AT SAINTE MARIE
TWO SURVIVORS TELL THEIR STORY

Lawrence and Judith arrived yesterday evening at Ivato from Sainte-Marie. They are among the eight survivors of the collapse of a hotel during Hurricane Ivan in the region Sunday.

 
Judith and Lawrence, owner of the hotel Antsara, destroyed by "Ivan" in Sainte Marie, arrived in Ivato yesterday.
A moment of deep emotion at the Ivato airport which landed yesterday in the evening, the two survivors of hurricane Ivan in Sainte-Marie. It was believed they were dead but Lawrence and Judith survived. They are the managers of the hotel Antsara which collapsed in the district of Ankirihiry in northern Santa Maria.
They arrived safely in the capital. Held light and bags in hand, they seemed two tourists returning from vacation. However, internally, they still are reviewing the images of the ordeal they experienced during the last four days in Sainte-Marie.
Rabenatoandro Simon and his wife, Judith's parents came to the reception upon arrival. Indeed, this couple teaching and trader who paid the airfare for Lawrence and Judith order to return to Antananarivo. The emotion was present, when they recounted the tragedy.
"Telling what happened is easy, but you can never imagine what we lived through there," says Lawrence. He says that, like all Saints-mariens, they wanted to know all about the hurricane and were always kept informed to better protect, until the day when they no longer had any news.
It was Saturday, February 16 at midnight it all started. "The wind was very strong. We feltour bungalow move and has been out of the house before we do a tree falls over and destroy the box. We joined our restaurant called Antsara for us refuge inside, "says Judith. At the same time, they called for horn and scream to awaken all staff.
But Judith noticed that the whole terrace of the restaurant was gone with the wind. "Yet, Antsara was the largest traditional building in the city. It dates back more than 20 years, "says Lawrence. It is only five months since the couple took over the management of the hotel.

Against all odds
They were ten in total to have moved heaven and earth to find a shelter that night till dawn. "We had to run to lose breath to escape from the collapse of the restaurant. But it was also supporting the walls of the second bungalow walls to prevent them from collapsing, "says Lawrence.
Through wind and rain, they tried another attempt before the bungalow would collapse. At daybreak, Sainte-Marie felt the full brunt of the force of  Hurricane Ivan. They were eight people to stay.
The other two parties are elsewhere. "So we found a little piece of 1m2 in toilets of the restaurant to ourselves. It was then that I called my father to inform him of the situation, "recalls Judith. This is the last contact she has since been able to establish any communication has been cut off and that the district Ankirihiry plunged into chaos.
These people have remained eight hours in the rubble in feeding on leftover food from the hotel and pieces of papaya that had fallen to the ground. "Monday, Laurent started seeking help in the city, while we remained without anything to eat, I, Doris one of our employees and children 2 years, 4 years, 6 years and 12 years and a Adolescents 21 years "relates Judith.
The arrival of Laurent, in the evening, brings hope to the small group. People have helped them to vacate the premises. "We had to use a boat to
Starting because all traffic was cut off. The northern part of St. Mary was completely isolated. All the boxes were decimated falafa and trees, "says Lawrence tied the throat.
Solidarity
He could not remember her tears thinking of the people they have left behind. "How these people are they going to survive in the coming months. Working at the hotel was their whole lives. How are they going to do? "Laments he said.
With the support of St. mariens, the couple was able to leave. "The team of Air Madagascar has contributed significantly to our back because all the seats were taken in the one plane that was operational," emphasized Lawrence.
Judith and Lawrence are the only people who have been able to leave St Mary's after the disaster. They left behind six people who were with them during the tragedy. They no longer have reviewed the rest of their staff. Like them, and as the thousands of victims, they will have to start all over again because Ivan destroyed everything.

Box
150 phone calls from the father
Since the phone call from her daughter at 8:30 am Sunday, Simon Rabenatoandro has done everything to make distress calls to save her daughter. "I spent 150 calls to alert everyone, soldiers to civilian authorities. In vain, "said the father, who denounced the indifference of all those responsible. He has also taken the trouble to alert newspapers. "My wife and I had lived in fear during 70h, waiting for that information to come to our third child, Judith," he says. Yesterday, they were finally all together, that's all that matters for parents. "But the cyclonic interventions and post-cyclone should be strengthened," concluded the father.

21 February

Questions to Arline Rasoatahiana

"Hurricane Ivan has completely annihilated us"

An employee of a free zone of disaster Anosimahavelona tells its setbacks.
 
• How did you feel the tragedy of the failure of the dam of Anosimahavelona?

-- We were all surprised. Fortunately, the factory where I worked closed its doors for some time because of the rising waters, otherwise I would have lost everything. We had to follow the evacuation, and take the little that we have been able to pick up boarding a canoe.

• Have you not anticipated that the situation could worsen?

-- Chief Fokontany and municipal officials have already requested to leave the premises a day before. But I never imagined like other residents that the water level would also rise sharply. This took us off guard. Fortunately, relief arrived on time.

• How relief is organized?

-- The availability of canoes has helped disaster victims to leave the scene very quickly. We were able to be evacuated in time and avoid the worst disasters. Nevertheless, we have been affected by this flood. It is the worst I have ever known.

• What will you do in the coming days?

-- We very much hope that the municipality of Anosizato we allocates a corner reassuring and safe shelter to accommodate us in the coming days. Hurricane Ivan has destroyed. I come from Fianarantsoa and I rented a house in Ar 25000. In addition, I support my sister and my brother. The next few days will be hard for us three.

• Why did you choose to live in this area prone to flooding?

-- I chose the district Anosimahavelona for economic reasons. As I work in a factory near frank, it eases our spending Taxi fares-be. This allows me to save Ar 600 per day.

• What solution would you recommend for this kind of disaster?

The filling of the dam up to a certain height is a solution awaited.

20 February

Ten deaths and thousands of disaster victims
The legacy left by Hurricane Ivan continues to escalate. Until yesterday, two deaths are reported to Fénérive East and eight in the district of Amparafaravola.
 
Ivan began moving away from the Big Island, but the balance weighs heavily. Until yesterday, ten dead were identified including two at Fénérive East and eight in Amparafaravola according to the report of the national office of risk management and disaster (BNGRC).
David Alexander Robinson, chief Mangoro Alaotra region for its part confirmed that eight people died in the district of Amparafaravola. Three of them have been washed away.
"The people buried beneath the rubble of the hotel Antsara in Sainte-Marie ensued, however, exits safe and sound," says the father of one of the victims.

Enormous damage
The advance BNGRC thousands of disaster victims throughout the island, hundreds of people homeless and enormous material damage. The cyclone damage spread to the south-east of the island. The municipality's urban Farafangana is under water since Monday, following the overflowing of the river Manampatrana.

The region has suffered from the passage of cyclone. Until yesterday, seven districts in the region were unreachable and isolated following the cutoff of sideroads on RN6. In the district of Fandriana, the situation is tragic for children 7 surrounded by the waters ahead of secours. This number could mount in the next few days when the communication in several affected districts will be reinstated. A delegation led by President Ravalomanana visited yesterday in Toamasina, providing help

Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara accompanied by a few ministers went join Sainte-Marie to assess damage and provide assistance with a value of 100 million ariary

The dikes yield
Antananarivo under water
The dikes broke, causing floods in the capital. Hurricane Ivan has left more than a thousand people affected.
 
The panic was total in the capital yesterday. Around one o'clock in the morning, neighbourhoods along the river from the Ikopa were flooded. This situation has been observed between both Ankadimbahoaka and Anosizato that Andohatapenaka. The same was true in a few towns on the outskirts of fokontany as Fiadanana to Ambohidratrimo and Ampahimanga to Alasora where dikes broke.

At Anosimahavelona, located between Ankadimbahoaka and Anosizato, it took the intervention of firefighters to evacuate Tsaralalàna of the thousand people occupying the buildings erected near the dam of the Ikopa and those on both sides.
"When night fell, the level of water in our house was about 1m. I rushed into the boat with only my clothes and a blanket, "says Isabelle Razafindravao. It was recovered by rescuers around 4 am. Recounting the ordeal she had, endured while waiting for relief, she claims to have seen its poultry, cooking utensils and furniture taken away by the waters.
The statement of the mother was also confirmed by a father. "My concern is how I can continue to live after the catastrophe," he asks. All material on this artisan work tanner was swept away by the river.
The majority of disaster victims claim to have been forced to abandon their belongings in their homes. "Fortunately, the police assured us that law enforcement officials will ensure the safety of our properties," says father.

Yesterday around 15 hours, soldiers fire supported by soldiers from the body of civil protection, equipped with two patrol boats and a metal boat, were able to save about 1200 affected two of whom were injured in a house collapse. "They have been installed temporarily in the parking lot of the gallery at Smart Tanjombato pending the establishment of shelters," says the director of the General Administration and Territorial with the Region Analamanga, Vincent Ravomanana.
Yesterday up to 11 hours, most of the affected landed at the scene had not yet homeless. "Those responsible are slow to provide tents to serve as shelters," complains Rasoarimanana. Arriving at the gallery Smart at 4 am, the mother said to be short of food.
This tragedy would not have, according to the regional leader, have happened if locals had followed the recommendation given by the relevant authorities. "Having been warned by the weather service on the possibility of rising water levels of rivers in the capital within 72 hours from Monday, we have already ordered the immediate evacuation of low-lying areas," he says.
In this sense, a father says he resisted the order out of concern for their property. "Breeder pork and poultry, I did not want to leave my animals," he said. He added that the same thing had happened to him during the hurricane Geralda, there are a dozen years.
Worse, the DAGT raises another problem. "The floods prevailing at the present time were caused by the rupture of the dikes," says he. A Anosimahavelona particular, a breach of about 35m was formed. "The presence of construction on this portion was originally," he says.
In this regard, Vincent Ravomanana projects a consultation with the municipality to settle once and for all this problem. "What surprises me is to see that these buildings, supposed to be illegal, have been recognized and registered," he heard.

A newborn named Ivan Ikopa
Proceeding to the evacuation of sinitrés of Anosimahavelona, firefighters had to be present at the birth of a woman early twenties. "The mother was about to give birth when we arrived in his home," said a soldier from heat. "Fortunately, the birth happened properly," he says. Embedded in the limelight, the woman was transferred in an ambulance fire for Atlantis to the nearest maternity.
On a proposal by the head of the fire brigade of Tsaralalàna, Colonel Jaona Andrianaivo, her parents gave the newborn's name Ivan Ikopa.

18 February

The passage of hurricane Ivan leaves a bitter taste in Sainte-Marie. Nine people were yesterday buried beneath the rubble of a hotel. The town is completely destroyed. Strong winds of 135km / h were recorded.
 
Ivan has disrupted air traffic and airport tarmacs were almost deserted.

YESTERDAY
Hurricane Ivan leaves bad memories in the town of Santa Maria. He began at 6 am in the city with gusts of wind of 137km / h destroying several buildings. The hotel Antsara in the district of Ankirihiry in the Bay of Antsarahaka collapsed. Nine people were there buried beneath the rubble. A distress call from one of the victims to his father living in Antananarivo alerted the man in question.
"Around 8:30, my daughter called me to tell me she was with nine people in the rubble of the hotel, without further details," said the father, contacted by telephone.
According to him, he tried to call his daughter back and contacting all his acquaintances in Sainte-Marie to no avail. Yesterday, the telephone networks of Orange and Celtel were down. Residents of Sainte-Marie were suddenly cut off from any communication with the outside world. The team from the National Bureau of risk management and disaster (BNGRC) also had trouble to get in touch with the local authorities.
Yesterday evening, the victim's father knew nothing of the fate of her daughter. He did not know if relief had reached her or not. The damage does not stop there because the official report received from the advance BNGRC indicates a heavy toll.

Several houses were affected and many trees were felled across the city. With all the roads, people and the equipment are struggling to move because the sea is beginning to reach the tarred roads. According to the BNGRC, it was difficult to receive further information from Sainte-Marie because SSB radio was also broken.

Heavy toll in the East
Hurricane Ivan has made other victims throughout the island. As in the Ambatoroka district in the capital, a couple, whose wife is pregnant, was injured and was transferred to an emergency hospital Ampefiloha. He was buried under the rubble of a wall which collapsed following the torrential rains. The couple has fortunately survived despite some injuries.

After Sainte-Marie, Hurricane Ivan passed through the town of Ampasimbe district, Fénérive East at 9 am, then in the District of Vavantenina at noon with winds of 137km / h. It was at 15h in the district of Andilamena where he also caused enormous damage. As the destruction of the office of the chief medical officer, a public primary school and from the stands of the football stadium without talking about the deterioration of the masts. The regions of Alaotra Mangoro, Atsinana and Analanjirofo are most affected.

The city of Toamasina I also was not spared by the passage of Ivan. In addition to the cutting of some streets, the population is isolated due to lack of telephone communication. Also, water and electricity were cut during the storm. At the same time, no earthly connection was possible on the RN2 because movement of taxis

The official report of BNGRC advance 60 people homeless in the District of Toamasina I. They were able to be housed in the building Soavita. At the same time, the team from UNICEF and BNGRC spoke on emergency relief. Eleven soldiers of the body of the
Civil Protection were dispatched yesterday to unblock the road crossings of the East.

Ivan weakens
The hurricane Ivan crossed many districts. Yesterday around 19h, it was located in the district of Tsaratanàna with a speed of 15km per hour and gusts of wind of 150 km / h. Although its strength weakens, the weather service to Ampasampito provides that the hurricane could move in the district of Anjozorobe, north of the capital. The toll could worsen in the affected districts over the next few days.

19 February

HURRICANE IVAN
HUNDREDS OF CASUALTIES
Hurricane Ivan claims more and more casualties. The official report mentions two deaths in Fénérive East. Other sources point to the death of nine people at Sainte-Marie.
 
The Hurricane Ivan has caused a lot of damage. The official assessment is still awaited.

19h Until yesterday, only two are known dead in the district of Fénérive East. More than 700 people are registered homeless in Toamasina I, I Andilamena and Mahajanga according to information from the national office of risk management and disaster (BNGRC).

More than 500 were identified at Andasibe and I Mandritsara. No official report has been received on Sainte-Marie. Information from unofficial sources have confirmed yesterday that nine people had died under the rubble of the hotel Antsara.

Short of food
An experienced operator of the island tells us: "I was able to reach Santa Maria by the BLU available on our boat. Employees of the boat added that two other people had died in Santa Maria. The population is short of food and had no water or electricity for 24 hours. The port has disappeared with all the boats docked there and the city is overwhelmed by the rising waters. The hotels along the beach were destroyed."

Two dikes broke. The roads are cut off because of trees littering the streets. Yesterday, the crew of BNGRC failed to confirm these data, even if a team was dispatched to an assessment by helicopter.

An emergency meeting yesterday invited government ministers, meeting led by Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara to the Interior Ministry to Anosy. It has been said that the rescue organization is difficult in districts that remain unreachable.

"Everybody in every district should join hands to accelerate relief now," said the prime minister. The executive secretary of BNGRC present at the meeting also recalled that the prepositioned stocks are still available in these localities affected.

Out at sea
The weather forecast for Ampandrianomby announced eighteen hours ago that Ivan could move from Morombe to Betioky Atsimo. The strong tropical storm has weakened to a remnant low. The cloud mass generated by its passage leads to intermittent rains in most parts of the island. Ivan is moving toward the south-southwest with a wind speed of about 65 km per hour.

All warnings on the Menabe regions, and Melaky Atsimo-Andrefana are still valid. The popupaltions likely to be in the path of this depression are expected to remain on their guard and stock up on food and drinking water. Fishermen are still formally discouraged and even prohibited from going out to sea.

The figures
District of Sainte-Marie: 9 people under the rubble
District Fénérive East: 2 dead, 271 affected
District Soanierana Ivongo: Administrative buildings and damaged school
District Foulpointe: the pontoon bridge submerged by water
District of Toamasina: 155 people homeless
District Nosy Varika houses downs and rivers flooded neighborhoods
District Andilamena: 30 homeless people, destroyed 19 cases, 9 dead horse
Mahajanga District I: 542 people homeless
Moramanga District: 4863 affected in the town Andasibe
District Brickaville road 20 km from Toamasina Brickaville to cut as a result of the rising waters
District Mandritsara: the city flooded with 60%, 90 affected
District south Midongy: rising waters
District Befotaka: rising waters and blocked roads to rural villages

17 February

Entry from the Tropical Cyclones blog, bulletin 124

SOUTHERN INDIAN OCEAN
TROPICAL CYCLONE 18S / Ivan
Warning 24 at 0900 GMT
Position: 17.1S 49.7E
Location 195 miles NE of Antananarivo, Madagascar
Movement: WSW at 8 knots
Maximum sustained winds: 100 knots
Maximum gusts: 120 knots
Threatened landmasses: Madagascar
Next update from JTWC at 1500 GMT

Tropical cyclone Ivan made landfall on Nosy Sainte Marie Island and will make landfall on mainland Madagascar near Soanierana-Ivongo. The storm will continue to head across Madagascar and reemerge into the Mozambique Channel. Ivan is not expected to regenerate, although that will be monitored closely.

HAZARD SUMMARY

Maximum significant wave height 28 feet
Tropical storm force winds occur within 105 to 125 miles of the centre.
Hurricane force winds occur within 35 miles of the centre

MADAGASCAR ADVISORY
Tropical cyclone Ivan is making landfall in the province of Toamasina, just north of Soanierana-Ivongo. The cyclone will carry winds of 190 km/h, with gusts of 230 km/h. Ivan is a category 3 system on the Saffir Simpson scale. Please bear in mind the radii quoted above, which indicate that galeforce winds and higher extend for 170 to 200 km from the centre.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami issues the following advice for a cyclone of this magnitude; please bear in mind this relates primarily to the USA. The impact in Madagascar is likely to be more severe.
  • Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal.
  • Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures.
  • Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down.
  • Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed.
  • Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane.
  • Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris.
  • Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more.
  • Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.