Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has wreaked havoc across Madagascar, resulting in at least three fatalities and displacing over 5,000 individuals. The cyclone made landfall on January 12, 2025, bringing heavy rains and strong winds that led to significant flooding and destruction in the northern regions of the island.
Cyclone Dikeledi (a Sesotho word which means the one filled with tears) intensified from a tropical disturbance into a cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph before making landfall in northern Madagascar. The storm caused torrential rains and strong winds, leading to flash floods that devastated communities.
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management (BNGRC) reported that the cyclone resulted in three confirmed deaths and affected nearly 1,000 people. In addition to the fatalities, the storm displaced 308 individuals and flooded 179 homes, with 38 houses sustaining partial damage. The cyclone also blocked a section of National Road No. 6, complicating rescue efforts.
Emergency teams are currently working to address the needs of those affected by the cyclone. However, the extent of the damage has hindered their efforts, as access to the most impacted areas remains challenging. Local authorities are focused on delivering aid and preparing for further adverse weather conditions, with meteorological warnings predicting continued heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The devastation caused by Cyclone Dikeledi comes less than a month after Cyclone Chido struck the region, resulting in at least 35 confirmed deaths and displacing up to 100,000 people. The recent storms have left communities in a state of emergency, struggling to recover from the compounded effects of these natural disasters.
As Cyclone Dikeledi moves southward into the Mozambique Channel, it is expected to reintensify, potentially reaching wind speeds above 100 mph. This forecast raises concerns for further severe weather in parts of Mozambique and Madagascar, as communities remain on high alert for additional flooding and damage.
Sources
- Cyclone Dikeledi kills 3 in Madagascar, displaces thousands: Red Cross, Yeni Şafak.
- Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi Strikes Madagascar, Causing 3 Fatalities and Displacement – Shia Waves, ShiaWaves.
- Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi results in massive destruction, death of 3 in Madagascar, menafn.
- Cyclone Dikeledi kills three in Madagascar, and Mayotte is hit again | Africa | The Guardian, The Guardian.
- Cyclone Dikeledi moves away from Mayotte, leaves three dead in Madagascar, RFI.