Two people killed as cyclone hits Madagascar
Toamasina, Madagascar. Feb. 15, 2012
A tropical cyclone has hit the island of Madagascar, with winds of up to 194km/h (120mph) ripping up trees and electricity pylons.
At least two people have been killed by Cyclone Giovanna, and there are reports of up to five deaths.
Head of the charity Care told the BBC that 60% of homes in one eastern town had either been damaged or destroyed.
Meteorologists warn the damage may be as bad as in 1994, when a cyclone killed 200 people and displaced 40,000.
Cyclone Giovanna made landfall overnight near the eastern port city of Toamasina, also known locally as Tamatave, 200km (about 125 miles) from the capital, Antananarivo.
Antananarivo-based journalist Tim Healy told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the capital city experienced very high winds and heavy rainfall for most of the day.
Emergency service vehicles have been out in Antananarivo on Tuesday clearing up the debris.
People are staying at home as offices, schools and businesses have been shut and the power has been cut in many areas.
He says he has been unable to ask residents along the eastern coast about the extent of the damage because telephone lines have been brought down by the cyclone.
He warns it could be serious - given that many coastal villagers live in simple houses built of wood and leaves.
There are reports of mudslides along the main Toamasina-Antananarivo road.
US space agency NASA says the storm spans hundreds of kilometres
Toamasina, Madagascar's main port, has not been as badly damaged as initially thought, director of the charity Care International John Davis told the BBC.
But preliminary assessments of the smaller town of Vatomandry - which is home to about 40,000 people and is less than 50km south of where Cyclone Giovanna first hit land - has been badly damaged, he said.
Credit: BBC
