Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Antananarivo (Fides Service)-“The news of a ferry shipwrecked yesterday 9 March in the Mozambique Channel in the midst of the cyclone raging in the area, has not been confirmed” Father Cosimo Alvati, Director of Radio Don Bosco in Madagascar told Fides. “Maritime authorities say they are still looking but there is no sign of a wreckage”. The ferry from the Comores was carrying 130 passengers.
Cyclone Gafilo, which caused havoc in Madagascar last Sunday, turned back to strike a second time. “On March 7 the cyclone hit the northern part of the Island” Father Alvati told Fides. “It started its course at four in the morning on Sunday with winds of 300 km per hour whipping through the north east. Then it moved south across most of the territory and headed towards the sea from where it returned to strike the town of Ankazoabo in south west Madagascar. Here in the capital Antananarivo it is raining heavily but for the moment all is calm ”.
Caritas Madagascar sent Fides a temporary report on the villages most damage: 90% Vohémar, Sambava, Antalaha, Maroantsetra, in the north east; 75% Sainte Marie, Fenerive-Est, Mananara-Nord and Vatomandry. More than 130,000 people are homeless in four of the Islands six provinces, only Fianarantsoa and Tulear were spared.
“It is fury the cyclone left 13 people dead and more than 600 reported missing” Father Alvati told Fides. “Most of the homes in affected areas have been destroyed or had the roof blown off. Most homes are huts made of mud and foliage. Even brick houses have roofs of foliage or corrugated metal”. With its vast range, diameter of over 400 km the cyclone hit a large area of the Island.
“Several rivers have overflowed their banks and the authorities keep issuing radio and television warnings to boil water before use and what medicines to take in the case of infection. It is feared that water reservoirs may have been contaminated ” says Father Alvati.
At the humanitarian level, Caritas Madagascar has mobilised its structures to access damages. On the basis of emergency needs it is thought that within hours appeals for help will be addressed to the international community. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/372004, righe 33 parole 414 )
