A lethal tropical cyclone tore across Madagascar this past weekend, claiming one life and forcing thousands to flee their homes.
Cyclone Fytia struck the island’s northwestern coast early Saturday, unleashing ferocious wind gusts reaching speeds of 210 kilometers per hour.
The storm’s violent passage caused a residential building to collapse in Antananarivo, resulting in the confirmed death of one resident.
Search teams are currently scouring the region near Majunga for a missing person swept away by a surging, rain-swollen river.
Disaster management officials report that the tempest disrupted the lives of 22,000 residents as it carved a path of destruction.
Over 8,400 people evacuated their dwellings, seeking sanctuary in emergency government shelters or with relatives as the floodwaters rose rapidly.
The national meteorological agency noted that Fytia represents the fifth major tropical storm to strike the nation since September 2025.
Although the cyclone weakened into a tropical storm before exiting Sunday, it left a sodden landscape and battered infrastructure behind.
This relentless season of storms continues to test the resilience of the island, with recovery efforts now underway across Madagascar.
Meteorologists warn that the regional cyclone season remains active, typically persisting until the calm arrives in late March or April.