 Cyclone Batsirai near peak intensity northwest of Mauritius on 2 February. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 24 January 2022 |
| Post-tropical | 8 February 2022 |
| Dissipated | 11 February 2022 |
| Intense tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (MFR) | |
| Highest winds | 205 km/h (125 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 923 hPa (mbar); 27.26 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 230 km/h (145 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 932 hPa (mbar); 27.52 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 123 total |
| Damage | $190 million (2022 USD) |
| Areas affected | Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2021–22 Australian region and South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons | |
Intense Tropical Cyclone Batsirai was a deadly tropical cyclone which heavily impacted Madagascar in February 2022, becoming the strongest tropical cyclone to strike Madagascar since Cyclone Enawo in 2017. It made landfall two weeks after Tropical Storm Ana brought deadly floods to the island country in late January.[1][2] The second tropical disturbance, the first tropical cyclone, and the first intense tropical cyclone of the 2021–22 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Batsirai originated from a tropical disturbance that was first noted on 24 January 2022. It fluctuated in intensity and became a moderate tropical storm on 27 January 2022, after which it unexpectedly rapidly intensified into an intense tropical cyclone. It then weakened and struggled to intensify through the coming days due to present wind shear and dry air, where it weakened after some time. Afterward, it entered much more favorable conditions, rapidly intensified yet again to a high-end Category 4 cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale while moving towards Madagascar. The storm underwent an eyewall replacement cycle the next day, and fluctuated in intensity before making landfall in Madagascar as a Category 3 cyclone, later rapidly weakening due to the mountainous terrain on the island.
Mauritius and Réunion both experienced damage from the storm, though the effects were relatively minor. 123 deaths were reported due to Batsirai, 121 deaths were reported in Madagascar and 2 deaths were reported in Mauritius.[3][4] As the storm approached, Madagascar prepared recovery supplies, with worries of significant flooding due to the more barren geography of the country. The United Nations supported preparation and relief efforts for after the storm as well, since millions were expected to be affected by it. Batsirai made landfall in the country early on 5 February, and brought heavy impacts and majorly disrupting power and communication throughout the affected areas. Entire towns were devastated, with thousands of structures being damaged or destroyed. After the storm passed, thousands of people evacuated to temporary shelters. Batsirai left at least 112,000 displaced, and 124,000 homes affected.[5][6] Overall, Cyclone Batsirai caused a total of $190 million in damages throughout the storm's life. The same areas were affected a year later by a more powerful cyclone named Cyclone Freddy.[7]
- ^ Cappucci, Matthew (7 February 2022). "Cyclone Batsirai slams Madagascar at major hurricane strength, killing 20". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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:6was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Richard Davies, Africa, News (14 February 2022). "Madagascar – Death Toll From Tropical Cyclone Batsirai Rises to 121". Flood List. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Bezain, Laetitia (9 February 2022). "Madagascar's death toll from Cyclone Batsirai rises to 92". KXAN Austin. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- ^ Rabary, Lovasoa (11 February 2022). "Death toll from Cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar jumps to 120 - state agency". Reuters. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
- ^ GlobalCatastrophe Recap First Half of 2021 (PDF) (Report). Aon Benfield. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.