Madagascar: island on alert as tropical storm Chalane approaches
In the forecast room of the General Directorate of Meteorology in Antananarivo, all eyes are on the Chalane system which is approaching the Malagasy coast.
© Sarah Tétaud / RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Madagascar is preparing to experience its first tropical storm of the season.
Chalane, that's the name of the system, was formed on December 19 in the middle of the Indian Ocean, more than 1,500 km from the Big Island.
It should make landfall on Sunday morning, via the northeast of the island.
The authorities are on alert to best prepare the population for the consequences of the storm.
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo,
Sarah Tétaud
At the meteorological office in the capital of Madagascar, Antananarivo, forecasters scrutinize their screens.
According to the head of forecasting services, Rivo Randrianarison, the hurricane system intensified 24 hours ago, giving more information on its evolution:
“
We now know that this storm will directly impact the Sava region (the
vanilla region
, editor's note), in the northeast and center-east of Madagascar.
What is certain is that the rainfall will be really very abundant during the impact, during the day of Sunday, December 27.
A flood is to be feared.
Rainfall in excess of 100mm is expected on Sunday, which corresponds to extreme events in terms of rainfall for the affected areas.
Gusts are also expected which could vary between 100 and 120 km at the time of impact.
"
If the risk of a cyclone is avoided, forecasters do not rule out the possibility that the system will reach the stage of "Severe tropical storm".
At the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management, we are on the alert.
Andry Razafimandimby, director of the Cervo (Center for study, reflection, monitoring and guidance), recalls the usual instructions and precautions:
“
Take shelter from flood zones, protect houses by placing sandbags, fortify house jails, and then evacuate to the heights if you live in a flood zone.
And above all, put away valuables, such as administrative paperwork, books, school supplies, school notebooks and stock up on food and candles in case there is a cut in the road and where supply would be made difficult.
"
The system's vortex is expected to go out to sea on the east coast in the Melaky region at the beginning of next week.
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