(Watchers) – The government of Madagascar has declared a national emergency on Monday, January 27, 2020, following days of intense downpour that triggered widespread flooding and devastations across the country. The severe weather has so far claimed 31 lives, displaced more than 16,000 people and affected nearly 107,000 since January 20.
Rivers rapidly rose after days of heavy rain, causing massive floods that destroyed roads, bridges, homes and agricultural areas. As a result, several national roads have been closed and wide swaths of crops were ravaged.
According to the National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC), more than 10,000 homes have been inundated, with 46 totally destroyed, including 24 in Boeny, 12 in Betsiboka, and seven in Analamanga. President Andry Rajoelina toured the affected areas across the island on Friday, January 24, and called it “a day of devastation”. READ MORE
