10 killed after Cyclone Batsirai batters Madagascar

Antananarivo: At least 10 people were killed after a dreadful cyclone named Batsirai hit southeastern Madagascar— second to smash the Indian Ocean Island in two weeks.  

As per officials, the cyclone triggered floods—bringing down buildings and cutting power.

One of the worst-hit towns was Nosy Varika on the east coast where almost 95% of buildings were destroyed "as if we had just been bombed" and floods cut access, an official said.

Cyclone Batsirai swept inland late on Saturday, slamming into the eastern coastline with heavy rain and wind speeds of 165 kph (100 mph). 

Earlier, it was projected that the cyclone could displace as many as 150,000 people. 

The damage from the storm compounded the destruction wreaked by Cyclone Ana, which hit the island, with a population of nearly 30,000,000, two weeks ago, killing 55 people and displacing 130,000. 

Reportedly, electricity was knocked out in the town as poles were toppled by gusts of winds that blew all night into Sunday morning. 

Following initial reports, up to 250,000 people are affected due to cyclone. 

In January, nearly 80 people were killed following tropical storms in the three southern African countries including Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi. 

According to experts, extreme weather events such as cyclones could become more regular, attributable to climate change.