Situation 19/03/2018

(19 Mar 2018 15:45)

• ELIAKIM moved over Sava, Analanjirofo and Antsinanana regions on 16-18 March. It then continued moving off the central and southeastern coast of Madagascar as a Tropical Storm. On 19 March at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located 130 km south-east of Manakara (Vatovavy-Fitovinany) and had maximum sustained winds of 83 km/h.
• Over the next 24 hours, it is forecast to keep heading southeast away from land, strengthening. Heavy rain and strong winds may still affect northern, central and southern Madagascar and La Reunion over 19-20 March. Meteo Madagascar has published a red alert for strong winds in the southeastern areas of the country. Meteo France La Reunion has issued an orange alert for strong winds for the southwestern areas of the island.
• Copernicus Emergency Management Service was activated on 16 March.
• Media reported, as of 19 March, that 17 people have been killed, over 6 200 people have been evacuated and over 1 500 houses have been damaged in the regions of Analanjirofo and Atisinanana. National authorities also reported that the access to the affected areas may be a major constraint due to a large number of landslides and flooded roads.

Situation 16/03/2018

(16 Mar 2018 06:48)

• ELIAKIM continued moving south-west over the South-West Indian Ocean toward northeastern Madagascar, strengthening. On 16 March at 0.00 UTC its centre was located 125 km north-east of Mananara Avaratra (Analanjirofo Region) and it had maximum sustained winds of 102 km/h.
• It is expected to make landfall in Masoala Peninsula (southern Sava) on 16 March morning UTC as an intense Tropical Storm and reach Mananara Avaratra (Analanjirofo Region) in the afternoon. Then it is forecast to move south over central Madagascar, weakening. Its centre may move again over water on 19 March and start moving away from land. Heavy rain, storm surge and strong winds may affect northern, central and southern Madagascar and La Reunion on 16-20 March.
• As of 16 March, Meteo Madagascar has issued a cyclone alert red for several areas of Sava, Bealalana, Befandriana Nord, Mandritsara, Analanjirofo, Atsinanana and Alaotra, as well as a red alert for heavy rain and strong winds in the central-eastern and the northern areas of the country.
• Media reported, as of 16 March, that hundreds of people have been preventively evacuated in the north-east areas of the country.

Situation 15/03/2018

(15 Mar 2018 06:34)

• ELIAKIM formed over the South-West Indian Ocean on 14 March and started moving south-west toward north-eastern Madagascar as a Tropical Storm. On 15 March at 0.00 UTC its centre was located 500 km north-east of Antalaha (Sava Region) and it had maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h.
• Over the next 24 hours, it is forecast to keep moving toward north-eastern Madagascar, strengthening. Its centre may reach the southeastern coast of Sava region or the northeastern Analanjirofo region on 16 March morning UTC, possibly as an intense Tropical Storm. Heavy rain, storm surges and strong winds may affect northern and central Madagascar and La Reunion over 15-19 March.
• As of 15 March, Meteo Madagascar has issued a cyclone alert yellow for the regions of Diana, Sava, Sofia, Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Alaotra and Mangoro and Tsaratanana, as well as a red alert for heavy rain and strong winds in the central-eastern and northern areas of the country.
• According to local media, as of 15 March, several areas of the district of Ambatondrazaka (Alaotra-Mangoro Region) have been flooded and dozens have been evacuated.