Overall Red alert Tropical Cyclone for BATSIRAI-22
in Madagascar

Event summary

Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI-22 can have a high humanitarian impact based on the maximum sustained wind speed, exposed population and vulnerability.

GDACS ID TC 1000859
Name BATSIRAI-22
Glide number: TC-2022-000160-MDG
From - To 27 Jan - 08 Feb
Exposed countries Madagascar
Exposed population 2.9 million in Category 1 or higher
Maximum wind speed 231 km/h Category 4
Maximum storm surge 0.6 m (10 Jan 17:00 UTC)
Vulnerability High (Madagascar)

GDACS Score

For more info on GDACS alert score click here.
Wind Storm surge Rainfall GDACS score
GDACS JTWC 65 km/h 0.4 m n.a. 0.5
WMO-RSMC La Réunion 10 min 74 km/h 0 m n.a. 0.5
WMO-RSMC La Réunion 1 min 84 km/h 0.6 m n.a. 0.5
Single TC: maximum expected impact (wind, storm surge, rainfall)
HWRF 227 km/h 0.8 m 2013 mm 1.5
GFS 216 km/h 1.2 m 889 mm 0.5
ECMWF 90 km/h 0.6 m 1095 mm 0.5
Maximum expected impact (wind, storm surge and rainfall) using different data sources.
Virtual OSOCC
Meteo assessment
Satellite products
Analytical products
Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI (ECHO 01 Feb 2022)Tue, 01 Feb 2022 12:09

  • A new tropical cyclone named BATSIRAI formed over the Indian Ocean on 27 January and started moving westward, toward Mauritius, Réunion and Madagascar. On 1 February at 0.00 UTC its centre was located over the Ocean, approximately 630 km north-east of Mauritius, 850 km north-east of Réunion and more than 1,400 km north-east of the central coast of Madagascar, with maximum sustained winds of 139 km/h.
  • BATSIRAI is expected to pass north (between 170 and 210 km) of Mauritius and Réunion on 2-3 February, strengthening. After that, it is forecast to make landfall over the Vatomandry City area (Atsinanana Region, central Madagascar) on 5 January late in the afternoon (UTC), with maximum sustained winds up to 200 km/h.
  • Over 1-4 February, heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge are forecast over the whole Mauritius, the Réunion and all eastern coast of Madagascar.
Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI, update (ECHO 02 Feb 2022)Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:23

  • Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI is moving south-westwards over the Indian Ocean, approaching Mauritius. On 2 February at 0.00 UTC, its centre was located about 210 km north of Mauritius and about 400 km north-east of Réunion, with maximum sustained winds of 222 km/h.
  • On 2-3 February, BATSIRAI is forecast to pass north of Mauritius and Réunion, moving south-westwards, with maximum sustained winds between 195-215 km/h.
  • Flight disruptions have been reported across Mauritius, as heavy rainfall and strong winds have been recorded during the last hours across the Island. BATSIRAI is expected to make landfall on 5 February in an area south of Atsinanana Region (central-eastern Madagascar), with maximum sustained winds up to 230 k/h. 
  • A Cyclone Warning Class 4 is in force in Mauritius, while a cyclone orange alert was issued for Réunion. On 2-3 February, heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge are forecast over the whole Mauritius, the Réunion.
BATSIRAI-22 - Copernicus EMS activation (EMSR563)Wed, 02 Feb 2022 18:45

EMSR563: Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated
Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI, update (ECHO 03 Feb 2022)Thu, 03 Feb 2022 11:07

  • After passing north of Mauritius, tropical cyclone BATSIRAI is moving southwestwards over the Indian Ocean. On 3 January at 0.00 UTC its centre was located about 190 km north of Réunion, with maximum sustained winds of 213 km/h. 
  • According to media, one person died and 7,500 households experienced power and communication outages in Mauritius. In Réunion, 13 people have been injured and many roads are closed. More than 400 firefighters have been mobilised to assist the local population and a reinforced vigilance has been issued. 
  • BATSIRAI is forecast to continue southwestwards over the Indian Ocean, reaching the eastern coast of central Madagascar in the morning of 5 February, with maximum sustained winds up to 205 km/h.
  • A red alert for tropical cyclone is in force for Réunion, while red warnings for heavy rainfall and strong winds have been issued for Mauritius, and for strong winds and high waves for the eastern Madagascar. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge are forecast on 3-4 February for Mauritius, on 3-5 February for Réunion, and from 4 February over eastern Madagascar.
Mauritius, La Réunion, Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI, update (ECHO 04 Feb 2022)Fri, 04 Feb 2022 12:09

  • Tropical cyclone BATSIRAI passed north of La Réunion and is moving west-southwest towards the central-eastern coast of Madagascar. On 4 January at 0.00 UTC its centre was located about 500 km east of Vatomandry Town (Atsinanana Region, central-eastern Madagascar), with maximum sustained winds of 194 km/h.
  • In La Réunion, the Interdepartmental Crisis Management Operational Centre (COGIC) reports 13 injured and 219 evacuated people. In addition, 72,000 houses have been affected by power and water outages. In Mauritius, the number of fatalities stands at one person, while 139 people have been evacuated and thousands experienced power outages, as reported by media.
  • BATSIRAI is forecast to continue west-southwest over the Indian Ocean and it will make landfall over the central-eastern coast of Madagascar on the late morning of 5 February with maximum sustained winds up to 185 km/.
  • For the next 24 hours, heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge are forecast across the central, eastern and south-eastern regions of Madagascar, La Réunion (particularly the north-western part) and Mauritius. A yellow alert is in effect over the aforementioned Regions of Madagascar.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service (EMS) was activated in rapid mapping mode on 2 February for La Réunion (), to support the damage assessment. 
BATSIRAI-22 - Copernicus EMS activation (EMSR564)Fri, 04 Feb 2022 15:28

EMSR564: Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated
Madagascar - Tropical cyclone BATSIRAI, update (ECHO 07 Feb 2022)Mon, 07 Feb 2022 11:44

  • After the passage of tropical cyclone BATSIRAI on 5-6 February over central and southern Madagascar, preliminary reports state at least 20 fatalities, 69,000 people displaced in shelters including people preventively evacuated and 9,271 children out of school. Various infrastructure damages are reported, including the main access road to the East. Several towns have sustained damage, power and waters supply have been disrupted in Mananjary City. Most affected Regions are reported in the East side of the country. Multi-sectoral rapid assessment and aerial survey are ongoing. BATSIRAI is moving south-westwards over the Mozambique Channel.
  • DG ECHO is sending today its rapid response coordinator to assess the immediate humanitarian needs to guide EU’s response.
  • The Government of Madagascar requested assistance from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism through EU Member States/Participating States, while the Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service (EMS) was activated in rapid mapping mode (), to support the damage assessment.
  • On 7-8 February, locally heavy rainfall is forecast over southern Madagascar.
Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI, update (ECHO 08 Feb 2022)Tue, 08 Feb 2022 12:37

  • The number of casualties across central and southern Madagascar has increased after the passage of Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI on 5-6 February. 
  • According to the Office of Risks and Disasters (BNGRC), 21 people have died, 62,096 individuals have been displaced to 154 shelters, and up to 72,275  people have been affected. Damage has been reported to infrastructure and buildings, including 211 schools, which has affected more than 9,270 students. 
  • UN OCHA reports that relief efforts are underway and rapid assessments of the disaster have started.
  • The European Commission is providing emergency assistance to the affected population in Madagascar. An EU Civil protection team of experts is being deployed to Madagascar to support the Government, to provide technical advice and  to facilitate the coordination on site of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism assistance. In addition, France and Germany have offered emergency assistance via the Mechanism, following a request for assistance from Madagascar. Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service was activated in rapid mapping mode (), and produced 16 maps to support emergency responders with the damage assessment.
  • BATSIRAI is currently moving southwards over the Mozambique Channel and on 8 February at 0.00 UTC its centre was about 300 km from the southern coast of Madagascar. Red warnings have been issued for high waves and strong winds over coastal southern Madagascar.
Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI update (ECHO 09 Feb 2022)Wed, 09 Feb 2022 12:49

  • After the passage of Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI on 5-6 February, as reported by the Office of Risks and Disasters (BNGRC), approximately 94,150 individuals have been affected and the large majority is displaced, while about 14,374 houses, 885 schools and 59 medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed by strong winds or floodwater caused by heavy rainfall.
  • On 9-10 February, a team of experts dedicated to humanitarian response including ECHO technical experts, humanitarian organisations staff, and Civil Protection experts (France, Sweden, Italy, Finland, and the Netherlands) with an Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) liaison officer are expected to arrive in Madagascar by two EU Humanitarian Airbridge.
  • Light to locally moderate rainfall is forecast on 9-11 February over northern Madagascar. 
Madagascar - Tropical Cyclone BATSIRAI, update (ECHO 10 Feb 2022)Thu, 10 Feb 2022 11:30

  • The number of fatalities across Madagascar continues to increase, after the passage of tropical cyclone BATSIRAI on 5-6 February.
  • The Office of Risks and Disasters (BNGRC) reports, as of 10 February, 92 fatalities, of which 71 in Ikongo District (Fitovinany Region, central-eastern Madagascar). BNGRC also reports nearly 62,000 displaced and more than 112,100 affected people.
  • The Copernicus Emergency Mapping Service was activated on 5 February in rapid mapping mode () and has produced 11 satellite maps so far.
  • Over the next 24 hours, more heavy rainfall is forecast over south-eastern, central and northern Madagascar.
Detailed event map. European Union, 2024. Map produced by EC-JRC.
The boundaries and the names shown on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the European Union.

Updates on volcanic activity (Smithsonian)

Latest media headlines

Madagascar/cyclone Batsirai: les secours et recherches avancent, 94 mo.. 2/12/2022 9:58:00 AM.

Les secours ont atteint jeudi la quasi totalité des zones touchées par le cyclone Batsirai à Madagascar, fatal à 94 personnes selon un dernier bilan des autorités qui cherchent encore des disparus et s’inquiètent de l’accès à l’eau potable.
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Batsiraï à Madagascar : 120 morts, 125000 sinistrés et 2562 salles de .. 2/12/2022 9:06:00 AM.

Le bilan provisoire des dégâts causés par le passage du cyclone Batsirai dans le Sud-est de Madagascar fait actuellement état de 120 décès. Dans ces statistiques qui relèvent du dernier bulletin du Bureau national de gestion des risques et
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Après Batsirai, emploi, vie chère et sécurité au programme de la visit.. 2/12/2022 8:15:00 AM.

Sébastien Lecornu arrivera, demain, dimanche 13 février, à La Réunion. Le ministre des Outre-mer va entamer une visite de trois jours dans le Département. L'Après Batsirai. Il va d'abord saluer l'engagement des personnels mobilisés pour fai
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Andry Rajoelina n'a pas pu se rendre à Nosy Varika 2/12/2022 8:15:00 AM.

Le président de la République n’a pu se rendre à Nosy Varika hier, l’une des districts les plus touchés par le passage du cyclone Batsirai dans le Sud-est de Madagascar. La faute est à la piste d’atterrissage de l’avion qui le transportait.
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Estimated casualties (PAGER)

USGS estimates the number of casualties for each earthquake for the Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) product.
The graph shows the current fatalities estimate.

Exposed population

Data, images, links, services and documents

For this events, GDACS has links to information from the following sources: EMSR (4), UNOSAT (1), EC-JRC (40), (2), WMO (1), INFORM (2),