Hurricane Ivan at Madagascar

Appeal for aid - 5 March

2008-03-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

Hurricanes Ivan and Fame have violently hit Madagascar. USD 36.5 million dollars are needed for reconstruction.
"At the moment, only 6 million are available. The rest is not yetcovered, "said yesterday at Pano-rama, Jean Marie Stratigos, emergencycoordinator in the UN. He presented the document Flash Appeal.

"This document is a mobilization of funds to support the accelerationof research funds for post-hurricane reconstruction," says Ka-maraAmadou, representative of FAO. "The priorities concerning food securityand nutrition as 200000 people are in need of immediate assistance,"said the representative. Then comes the drinking water sector whichmore than 5 million are needed, and the prevention of epidemics and thehealth sector. "Madagascar can only congratulate the United Nations forthis support," said General Marcel Ranjeva, Minister of ForeignAffairs. Currently, the stock of the two hurricanes reported 96 deathsacross the island and over 200000 affected.

5 March - pollution

2008-03-05T09:55:00.000-08:00

Garbage

Theresident population of the dam of Andramiarana filed a complaint withthe common Antehiroka. She denounced the dumping of garbage into thenearby pond.

The waste threatens to pollute the water.
The dumping of Andramiarana situated along the embankment of the samename, has been the subject of a complaint from the local population,last month. The garbage piles up on an area of two hundred meters alongthe junction between the city of Ambohitrimanjaka that of Antehiroka.

The community that needs water Andramiarana feels thus threatened bythe pollution caused by such debris who earn the nearby pond. A portionof this irrigated pond is converted into rice paddies, and the other isused for farming and brickmaking. Pierre Rakotoson, a resident, addingthat the dumping of human waste in the water appears to be an abuse ofpower. The substance of the complaint has alarmed officials of themunicipality of Antehiroka. Since February 25, the council hasinstalled a checkpoint at the entrance of the dump trucks to preventillegal immigrants from entering. "The leaders of this county areconsidering among other vidoir this move," says Martin Ratsimandresy,communal police to Antehiroka.

This territory has always been theplace to dump garbage in the municipality. Without surveillance,individuals have taken the opportunity to infiltrate them, aggravatingthe situation because they scatter debris, according to the remarks ofPeter Rakotoson.

5 March

2008-03-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

After Hurricane Ivan
Desolation to Analanjirofo
AfterHurricane Ivan, the worst is yet to come. In the region Analanjirofo,for example, the rice fields are devastated, breadfruit trees will notfruit this year. Warning Signs runners famine.

The devastation wrought by Hurricane "Ivan" weigh heavy for the region's economy.
Anxiety in the region Analanjirofo. The aftermath of Hurricane Ivanwill not to affect the survival of the local population. Thedestruction of crops could jeopardize the harvest for this year. Fornow, the victims are trying to survive thanks to the stocks for thelean period and humanitarian aid granted by the state after thedisaster.

"The food crisis will occur in a few weeks. All cropsare destroyed. The region will be hit by famine, "said Nathalie Mena, aresident of the fokontany Manakambahiny, in the rural commune ofAmbodimangan'i to Be Fénerive East. "The destruction of subtitutioncrops such as cassava, fruit bread and annuity products are making thesituation worse. It no longer any source of money to remedy thesituation, at least for one year, "she adds.
Yet Nathalie did notslow the arms. It has to find a solution to get up. It plans to restartwith gardening, which it said creates less expenditure. "The culture ofbrèdes is the only source of quick money even if it does not cover ourannual needs," she says.

Lack of rice
The regionAnalanjirofo turned into a scene of devastation after Hurricane Ivan,on 17 and 18 February. The green has been replaced by tree trunksuprooted.
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Ivan weigh heavyfor the region's economy Analanjirofo. It is the largest producer ofcloves with a production of cloves s'élévant to 10000 tonnes infavourable season, hence its Analanjirofo appelation. The production ofgasoline extracted from leaves of giroflier is no exception.Analanjirofo provides the majority of the annual demand.

With aproduction of 190000 tonnes of rice per year, the region has a deficitof 50000 tons. This deficit will increase for the year 2008. "Neitherculture bottom, or on rice-burning are promising for the next harvest.The dependence vis-à-vis other regions will grow significantly,"Rafanomezantsoa announcement Nivoary, director of the regionaldevelopment Analanjirofo (DDR).

Aimé Tarehy Gilbert, head of theregion Analanjirofo, fears the worst. "The famine is hard to face intwo months. The damage left by Ivan are an impediment to the rapiddevelopment of the region if it does not solve the problems on time,"says he.
However, the regional plan to bring relief to farmersby providing seeds. For example, 10 tons of rice and 300 kilos of maizewill be distributed to farmers in the coming days.
The sector isalso litchis reached. The consequences are no less worrisome for thenext campaign. "The beneficiaries located in the circuit to bear theill effects of the disaster," laments Rafanomezantsoa Nivoary, DDRD'Analanjirofo. "The 60000 tonnes of annual production are chimeric forthe 2008 campaign," she says.

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Lack of drinking water
Analanjirofo The region is exposed to all the dangers unless solutionsoccur on time. In addition to the famine which seriously threatens thepopulation, epidemics are likely to make their appearance in the comingdays.

Lack of clean water is the primary factor. In Fénérive East,the capital of the region Analanjirofo, the distribution company Jiramahas not yet been able to restore supply for two weeks after HurricaneIvan. Only those wells are used as alternatives. An awareness of watertreatment is needed.

23 February - Slideshow

2008-02-23T05:24:00.000-08:00

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.

| View | Upload your own

22 February

2008-02-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

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

22 February - News in brief

2008-02-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

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

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

Vavatenina
Threat of diarrhea

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

22 February - Appeal for aid

2008-02-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

The government has appealed for international aid

"Both natural disasters have weakened Malagasy population. The needsare great in Madagascar. "These are the terms that Marcel Ranjeva,Minister of Foreign Affairs, launched yesterday in Anosy, the call forinternational solidarity. Fame and Ivan have ravaged in the GreatIsland. These hurricanes resulted in 42 fatalities, more than
80000 affected thousands

Cases of housing destroyed and more than 18000 hectares of rice fieldsflooded, according to the National Bureau of risk management anddisaster (BNGRC). "Stocks to rescue the thousands of people who findthemselves in an emergency situation are exhausted," says Colonel JeanRakotomalala, Executive Secretary of BNGRC.
Heads of diplomaticmissions and representatives of the international community have paidattention to the presentation of the heavy toll in the aftermathhurricane. Destroyed infrastructure, agriculture affected tourism incritical condition, the Great Island faces enormous needs. Althoughrelief and interventions have been completed, the materials availableare almost inadequate.

At last report, 29 deaths were recordedafter the passage of Ivan. 70% of the roads are cut off. No figure hasbeen put forward with regard to the needs. The UN system, representedby Xavier Leus, has confirmed its commitment to mobilise theinternational community. "We will use the funds rotation UN immediaterelease funds, in order to better assist the affected population," hesays.

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

22 February - Rice production threatened

2008-02-22T13:28:00.000-08:00

Rice production threatened

The Mangoro Alaotra region has sufferedgreatly from Hurricane Ivan. 15000 hectares of rice fields wereflooded. Growers have a lot to do to get out.

The movementis no possible by canoe to reach both ends of Antanambe. The town wascut off during the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
Producers have toworry. The Hurricane Ivan could jeopardize the rice-growing season of2008. Much of the extent of the Rice Lake Alaotra was hit by the flood.Seedlings seem not to bear the long-term immersion. This cansignificantly affect production this season.

The failure of dikesfor protection and the collapse of some dams has caused enormousdamage. Regional managers are reporting an area of 15000 hectares ofrice fields flooded, as an estimate. And the balance may grow in thecoming days. The reports are steadily converging to the office of chiefAlaotra region-Mangoro.

In the district of Ambatondrazaka, over30% of rice fields in the valley are flooded . The riceseedlings planted a few weeks ago are totally immersed. "There is verylittle chance to save the rice crop, unless the waters drain sooner,"says Christian Rabearihanta, president of the federation of peasants inthe 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 ricefields. "This kind of incident occurs rarely in the area. The latestdated back to 1958 and 1972, "says David Alexander Robinson, head ofthe 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 aggravatedthe situation. The dam located in Marofinaritra, in the municipality ofAmbohijanahary to Amparafaravola transferred Monday. In addition to theflooding of paddy fields, several villages located downstream aretemporarily 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, localauthorities remain optimistic. "The rice plants have a capacity ofresistance of a week. After this time, it no longer can expect much andwe must start all over again, "says Jean Louis Robinson, HealthMinister

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The rice granary threatened
362000tons of rice produced in 2007, the region of Alaotra-Mangoro, the firstrice granary of Madagascar, might not beat the record of last year inview 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 hithertoprovides 30% of national production of rice annually, or an average of350000 tonnes. The bulk of the quantity supplied is intended toresupply the local market. A portion is reserved for export.

21 February - The Homeless

2008-02-21T04:26:00.000-08:00

Victims of Hurricane Ivan
The crowd housed in tents
Theconditions of disaster victims evacuated from Anosimahavelona areprecarious. 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 Anosimahavelonaon the night of Feb. 18, eighty people live under one tent. The surfaceestimated at 144 m2 excludes tramway for the occupants.
A totalof 2400 people, distributed in a dozen tents have sought refuge on thissite Anosizato West. At night, they find it difficult to sleep. "I findit hard to bear the air confined here, with all the world," complainsRichard Rakotonandrasana, one of the flood victims.
On the otherhand, the common problem faced by these refugees is the fight againsthumidity. Water seeps in tents, as overnight advance, preventing themfrom sleeping well.
At the time of the evacuation, the majorityof families were unable to recover a single coverage. Some of them goto bed in wet clothes. Suzanne Razanadratsimba, a mother of the familyis still in shock from the flood that swept away all his belongings.
"I feel like reliving the nightmare of the flooding of the night whenwe were rescued at Anosimahavelona," said she in the media. She and hercompanions want officials soon found a solution to this uncomfortablehumidity.

Emerging diseases
Already, the diseases associatedwith intolerance to cold is felt. Headaches, colic and malaria are thefirst diagnoses made by the officers of the Red Cross Analamanga duringtheir 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.

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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 ofthe island and the division of labour, BNGRC is overwhelmed by itsmission. The affected Analamanga complain of a lack of tents.

21 February - Death toll hits 22

2008-02-21T04:24:00.000-08:00

REVIEW
22 dead across Madagascar

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

Inthe northern part of the island, the collapse of a house in a districtfokontany Andapa has taken the lives of eight people, according to acorrespondent for the local Malagasy National Radio. While atIfanadiana, a reporter from the station announced yesterday that aperson has been washed away by floods.
The statement is stillbeing developed and is likely to grow before all data received from theNational Bureau of risk management and disaster are complete.

21 February (II)

2008-02-21T04:22:00.000-08:00

BLOCKED AT SAINTE MARIE
TWO SURVIVORS TELL THEIR STORY

Lawrence andJudith arrived yesterday evening at Ivato from Sainte-Marie. They areamong the eight survivors of the collapse of a hotel during HurricaneIvan 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 inthe evening, the two survivors of hurricane Ivan in Sainte-Marie. Itwas believed they were dead but Lawrence and Judith survived. They arethe managers of the hotel Antsara which collapsed in the district ofAnkirihiry in northern Santa Maria.
They arrived safely in thecapital. Held light and bags in hand, they seemed two touristsreturning from vacation. However, internally, they still are reviewingthe images of the ordeal they experienced during the last four days inSainte-Marie.
Rabenatoandro Simon and his wife, Judith's parentscame to the reception upon arrival. Indeed, this couple teaching andtrader who paid the airfare for Lawrence and Judith order to return toAntananarivo. The emotion was present, when they recounted the tragedy.
"Telling what happened is easy, but you can never imagine what welived through there," says Lawrence. He says that, like all Saints-mariens,they wanted to know all about the hurricane and were always keptinformed to better protect, until the day when they no longer had anynews.
It was Saturday, February 16 at midnight it all started."The wind was very strong. We feltour bungalow move and has been outof the house before we do a tree falls over and destroy the box. Wejoined our restaurant called Antsara for us refuge inside, "saysJudith. At the same time, they called for horn and scream to awaken allstaff.
But Judith noticed that the whole terrace of therestaurant was gone with the wind. "Yet, Antsara was the largesttraditional building in the city. It dates back more than 20 years,"says Lawrence. It is only five months since the couple took over themanagement of the hotel.

Against all odds
They were ten intotal to have moved heaven and earth to find a shelter that night tilldawn. "We had to run to lose breath to escape from the collapse of therestaurant. But it was also supporting the walls of the second bungalowwalls to prevent them from collapsing, "says Lawrence.
Throughwind and rain, they tried another attempt before the bungalow wouldcollapse. At daybreak, Sainte-Marie felt the full brunt of the force of Hurricane Ivan. They were eight people to stay.
The other twoparties are elsewhere. "So we found a little piece of 1m2 in toilets ofthe restaurant to ourselves. It was then that I called my father toinform him of the situation, "recalls Judith. This is the last contactshe has since been able to establish any communication has been cut offand that the district Ankirihiry plunged into chaos.
These peoplehave remained eight hours in the rubble in feeding on leftover foodfrom the hotel and pieces of papaya that had fallen to the ground."Monday, Laurent started seeking help in the city, while we remainedwithout anything to eat, I, Doris one of our employees and children 2years, 4 years, 6 years and 12 years and a Adolescents 21 years"relates Judith.
The arrival of Laurent, in the evening, bringshope to the small group. People have helped them to vacate thepremises. "We had to use a boat to
Starting because all trafficwas cut off. The northern part of St. Mary was completely isolated. Allthe boxes were decimated falafa and trees, "says Lawrence tied thethroat.
Solidarity
He could not remember her tears thinkingof the people they have left behind. "How these people are they goingto survive in the coming months. Working at the hotel was their wholelives. How are they going to do? "Laments he said.
With thesupport of St. mariens, the couple was able to leave. "The team of AirMadagascar has contributed significantly to our back because all theseats were taken in the one plane that was operational," emphasizedLawrence.
Judith and Lawrence are the only people who have beenable to leave St Mary's after the disaster. They left behind six peoplewho were with them during the tragedy. They no longer have reviewed therest of their staff. Like them, and as the thousands of victims, theywill have to start all over again because Ivan destroyed everything.

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150 phone calls from the father
Since the phone call from her daughter at 8:30 am Sunday, SimonRabenatoandro has done everything to make distress calls to save herdaughter. "I spent 150 calls to alert everyone, soldiers to civilianauthorities. In vain, "said the father, who denounced the indifferenceof all those responsible. He has also taken the trouble to alertnewspapers. "My wife and I had lived in fear during 70h, waiting forthat information to come to our third child, Judith," he says.Yesterday, they were finally all together, that's all that matters forparents. "But the cyclonic interventions and post-cyclone should bestrengthened," concluded the father.

21 February

2008-02-21T04:18:00.000-08:00

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 workedclosed its doors for some time because of the rising waters, otherwiseI would have lost everything. We had to follow the evacuation, and takethe 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 toleave the premises a day before. But I never imagined like otherresidents that the water level would also rise sharply. This took usoff guard. Fortunately, relief arrived on time.

• How relief is organized?

-- The availability of canoes has helped disaster victims to leave thescene very quickly. We were able to be evacuated in time and avoid theworst disasters. Nevertheless, we have been affected by this flood. Itis 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 acorner reassuring and safe shelter to accommodate us in the comingdays. Hurricane Ivan has destroyed. I come from Fianarantsoa and Irented a house in Ar 25000. In addition, I support my sister and mybrother. 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

2008-02-21T04:15:00.000-08:00

Ten deaths and thousands of disaster victims
The legacy left byHurricane Ivan continues to escalate. Until yesterday, two deaths arereported to Fénérive East and eight in the district of Amparafaravola.

Ivan began moving away from the Big Island, but the balance weighsheavily. Until yesterday, ten dead were identified including two atFénérive East and eight in Amparafaravola according to the report of thenational office of risk management and disaster (BNGRC).
DavidAlexander Robinson, chief Mangoro Alaotra region for its part confirmedthat eight people died in the district of Amparafaravola. Three of themhave been washed away.
"The people buried beneath the rubble ofthe hotel Antsara in Sainte-Marie ensued, however, exits safe andsound," 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 cyclonedamage spread to the south-east of the island. The municipality's urbanFarafangana is under water since Monday, following the overflowing ofthe river Manampatrana.

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

Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara accompanied by a fewministers went join Sainte-Marie to assess damage and provideassistance 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 themorning, neighbourhoods along the river from the Ikopa were flooded.This situation has been observed between both Ankadimbahoaka andAnosizato that Andohatapenaka. The same was true in a few towns on theoutskirts of fokontany as Fiadanana to Ambohidratrimo and Ampahimangato Alasora where dikes broke.

At Anosimahavelona, located betweenAnkadimbahoaka and Anosizato, it took the intervention of firefightersto evacuate Tsaralalàna of the thousand people occupying the buildingserected near the dam of the Ikopa and those on both sides.
"Whennight fell, the level of water in our house was about 1m. Irushed into the boat with only my clothes and a blanket, "says IsabelleRazafindravao. It was recovered by rescuers around 4 am. Recounting theordeal she had, endured while waiting for relief, she claims tohave seen its poultry, cooking utensils and furniture taken away by thewaters.
The statement of the mother was also confirmed by afather. "My concern is how I can continue to live after thecatastrophe," he asks. All material on this artisan work tanner wasswept away by the river.
The majority of disaster victims claimto have been forced to abandon their belongings in their homes."Fortunately, the police assured us that law enforcement officials willensure the safety of our properties," says father.

Yesterday around 15 hours, soldiers fire supported by soldiers from thebody of civil protection, equipped with two patrol boats and a metalboat, were able to save about 1200 affected two of whom were injured ina house collapse. "They have been installed temporarily in the parkinglot of the gallery at Smart Tanjombato pending the establishment ofshelters," says the director of the General Administration andTerritorial with the Region Analamanga, Vincent Ravomanana.
Yesterday up to 11 hours, most of the affected landed at the scene hadnot yet homeless. "Those responsible are slow to provide tents to serveas shelters," complains Rasoarimanana. Arriving at the gallery Smart at4 am, the mother said to be short of food.
This tragedy would nothave, according to the regional leader, have happened if locals hadfollowed the recommendation given by the relevant authorities. "Havingbeen warned by the weather service on the possibility of rising waterlevels of rivers in the capital within 72 hours from Monday, we havealready ordered the immediate evacuation of low-lying areas," he says.
In this sense, a father says he resisted the order out of concern fortheir property. "Breeder pork and poultry, I did not want to leave myanimals," he said. He added that the same thing had happened to himduring the hurricane Geralda, there are a dozen years.
Worse, theDAGT raises another problem. "The floods prevailing at the present timewere caused by the rupture of the dikes," says he. A Anosimahavelonaparticular, a breach of about 35m was formed. "The presence ofconstruction on this portion was originally," he says.
In thisregard, Vincent Ravomanana projects a consultation with themunicipality to settle once and for all this problem. "What surprisesme is to see that these buildings, supposed to be illegal, have beenrecognized 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," saida soldier from heat. "Fortunately, the birth happened properly," hesays. Embedded in the limelight, the woman was transferred in anambulance fire for Atlantis to the nearest maternity.
On aproposal by the head of the fire brigade of Tsaralalàna, Colonel JaonaAndrianaivo, her parents gave the newborn's name Ivan Ikopa.

18 February

2008-02-21T04:14:00.001-08:00

The passage of hurricane Ivan leaves a bitter taste in Sainte-Marie.Nine people were yesterday buried beneath the rubble of a hotel. Thetown 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 beganat 6 am in the city with gusts of wind of 137km / h destroying severalbuildings. The hotel Antsara in the district of Ankirihiry in the Bayof Antsarahaka collapsed. Nine people were there buried beneath therubble. A distress call from one of the victims to his father living in Antananarivo alerted the man in question.
"Around 8:30, mydaughter called me to tell me she was with nine people in the rubble ofthe hotel, without further details," said the father, contacted bytelephone.
According to him, he tried to call his daughter back andcontacting all his acquaintances in Sainte-Marie to no avail. Yesterday,the telephone networks of Orange and Celtel were down. Residents ofSainte-Marie were suddenly cut off from any communication with theoutside world. The team from the National Bureau of risk management anddisaster (BNGRC) also had trouble to get in touch with the localauthorities.
Yesterday evening, the victim's father knew nothingof the fate of her daughter. He did not know if relief had reached heror not. The damage does not stop there because the official reportreceived from the advance BNGRC indicates a heavy toll.

Several houses wereaffected and many trees were felled across the city. With all theroads, people and the equipment are struggling to move because the seais beginning to reach the tarred roads. According to the BNGRC, itwas difficult to receive further information from Sainte-Marie becauseSSB radio was also broken.

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

After Sainte-Marie, Hurricane Ivan passed through thetown of Ampasimbe district, Fénérive East at 9 am, then in the Districtof Vavantenina at noon with winds of 137km / h. It was at 15h in thedistrict of Andilamena where he also caused enormous damage. As thedestruction of the office of the chief medical officer, a publicprimary school and from the stands of the football stadium withouttalking about the deterioration of the masts. The regions ofAlaotra Mangoro, Atsinana and Analanjirofo are most affected.

The city of Toamasina I also was not spared by thepassage of Ivan. In addition to the cutting of some streets, thepopulation is isolated due to lack of telephone communication. Also,water and electricity were cut during the storm. At the same time, noearthly connection was possible on the RN2 because movement oftaxis

The official report ofBNGRC advance 60 people homeless in the District of Toamasina I. Theywere able to be housed in the building Soavita. At the same time, theteam from UNICEF and BNGRC spoke on emergency relief. Eleven soldiersof 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 waslocated in the district of Tsaratanàna with a speed of 15km per hourand gusts of wind of 150 km / h. Although its strength weakens, theweather service to Ampasampito provides that the hurricane could movein the district of Anjozorobe, north of the capital. The toll couldworsen in the affected districts over the next few days.

19 February

2008-02-21T04:14:00.000-08:00

HURRICANE IVAN
HUNDREDS OF CASUALTIES
HurricaneIvan claims more and more casualties. The official report mentions twodeaths in Fénérive East. Other sources point to the death of ninepeople at Sainte-Marie.

The Hurricane Ivan has caused a lot of damage. The official assessment is still awaited.

19hUntil yesterday, only two are known dead in the district of FénériveEast. More than 700 people are registered homeless in Toamasina I, IAndilamena and Mahajanga according to information from the nationaloffice of risk management and disaster (BNGRC).

Morethan 500 were identified at Andasibe and I Mandritsara. No officialreport has been received on Sainte-Marie. Information from unofficialsources have confirmed yesterday that nine people had died under therubble of the hotel Antsara.

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

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

Anemergency meeting yesterday invited government ministers, meeting ledby Prime Minister Charles Rabemananjara to the Interior Ministry toAnosy. It has been said that the rescue organization is difficult indistricts that remain unreachable.

"Everybodyin every district should join hands to accelerate relief now," said theprime minister. The executive secretary of BNGRC present at the meetingalso recalled that the prepositioned stocks are still available inthese localities affected.

Out at sea
Theweather forecast for Ampandrianomby announced eighteen hours ago thatIvan could move from Morombe to Betioky Atsimo. The strong tropicalstorm has weakened to a remnant low. The cloud mass generated by itspassage leads to intermittent rains in most parts of the island. Ivanis moving toward the south-southwest with a wind speed of about 65 kmper hour.

Allwarnings on the Menabe regions, and Melaky Atsimo-Andrefana are stillvalid. The popupaltions likely to be in the path of this depression areexpected to remain on their guard and stock up on food and drinkingwater. Fishermen are still formally discouraged and even prohibitedfrom 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

2008-02-21T04:13:00.000-08:00

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

Tropicalcyclone Ivan made landfall on Nosy Sainte Marie Island and will makelandfall on mainland Madagascar near Soanierana-Ivongo. The storm willcontinue to head across Madagascar and reemerge into the MozambiqueChannel. Ivan is not expected to regenerate, although that will bemonitored 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
Tropicalcyclone Ivan is making landfall in the province of Toamasina, justnorth of Soanierana-Ivongo. The cyclone will carry winds of 190 km/h,with gusts of 230 km/h. Ivan is a category 3system on the Saffir Simpson scale. Please bear in mind the radiiquoted above, which indicate that galeforce winds and higher extend for170 to 200 km from the centre.

The National Hurricane Center inMiami issues the following advice for a cyclone of this magnitude;please bear in mind this relates primarily to the USA. The impact inMadagascar 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.

Tags: hurricane, tropical, cyclone, ivan, madagascar