At least 10 people are confirmed dead in Madagascar after Tropical Cyclone Batsirai slammed its eastern coastline overnight, the country’s disaster management agency said Monday.
Some died after their homes collapsed in the town of Ambalavao, about 460 kilometers (286 miles) south of the capital Antananarivo.
The National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management said 47,888 people were displaced by the storm, which brought heavy rains and winds.
According to the agency, water levels along the cyclone’s path were expected to peak between Sunday and Monday and flood warnings were issued for the Mananjary and Fiherenana rivers.
Following initial reports, up to 250,000 people are affected, the agency said.
The most affected area was the southeastern city of Mananjary, where strong winds and rain destroyed homes and damaged infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.\
Cyclone Batsirai made landfall near Mananjary, around 530 kilometers (329 miles) from Antananarivo, around 8 p.m. local time on Saturday, the agency said.