A powerful tropical cyclone swept across Madagascar over the weekend, killing seven people and forcing more than 20,000 residents to flee their homes, authorities reported on Monday.
Cyclone Fytia, with gusts reaching 210 km/h (130 mph), struck the island early Saturday and lasted into Sunday. Among the confirmed deaths, one occurred in the capital, Antananarivo, while another person remains missing after being swept away by a swollen river, according to the BNGRC disaster management agency.
The storm marks the fifth tropical cyclone to hit Madagascar since September, with the cyclone season in the region typically ending in March or April.
Experts note that Madagascar is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, including storms and droughts, which are expected to worsen as climate change intensifies.
