Attachments
Date of event
11-02-2026
What happened, where and when?
For the 2025/26 cyclone season Madagascar is already experiencing a major humanitarian crisis as a result of the recent two cyclones that hit the country from 31 january to 10th February.
Cyclone Fytia formed on 28 January 2026 and made landfall on 31 January as a Category 3 storm, crossing the country until 1 February before weakening. It triggered widespread flooding across northwestern Madagascar and affected 35 districts in nine regions, including Boeny, Analamanga, Melaky, Sofia, Vakinankaratra, Betsiboka, Atsinanana, Alaotra Mangoro, and Itasy. As of 8 February, Fytia had caused 14 deaths, displaced more than 31,000 people, and affected over 70,000 individuals, with Boeny Region hardest hit. Malagasy Red Cross at the frontline of the response deployed their branches and technical units, kick-starting life saving assistance, contributing to the call for support from Government.
Just ten days later, TC Gezani made landfall on 10 February near Toamasina as a Category 4 cyclone, with maximum sustained winds of 211–250 km/h, devastating approximately 75 per cent of the city and prompting a national disaster declaration and an international request for support from Government. Tropical Cyclone Gezani crossed Madagascar and entered the Mozambique Channel near Antsalova around 17:00 local time on 11 February before weakening into a tropical storm. Along its path, Gezani brought heavy rains. On 12 February, the intense rainfall and strong winds were expected in central-western Madagascar. A red alert for strong winds and flooding was issued. The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) estimates that 1.9 million people were exposed to Category 1 (119 to 153 km/hr) or higher wind speeds. Maximum sustained winds reached 211 km/h (Category 4). The GDCA score is 2.5 (red). The situation and red alerts prompted the Government of Madagascar to issue an appeal for international assistance.
From latest joint Assessment involving MRCS, data of 16th February, a total of 419,365 people (104,706 households) have been affected while the damage to housing has been extensive, with 25,044 homes destroyed, 27,756 flooded, and 49,129 damaged across the affected regions. 16,428 people displaced.