CYCLONE INDLALA STRIKES MADAGASCAR - SECOND REPORT

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000270 SIPDIS SIPDIS AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA-SKHANDAGLE, KLUU, GGOTTLIEB, AFERRARA, AND CPRATT FOR DCHA/FFP/DP - SDOSHANJH, PNOVICK AFR/EA - OCOLE STATE FOR AF/E, MBEYZEROV AND DMALAC STATE FOR CA/OCS/ACS/AF, RBRANSON PRETORIA USAID/OFDA/SARO - HHALE NAIROBI FOR USAID/EA/FFP - NESTES, DGORDON ROME FOR FODAG GENEVA FOR RMA, DHA, IFRC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EAID PREL SOCI CASC MA SUBJECT: CYCLONE INDLALA STRIKES MADAGASCAR - SECOND REPORT REF: ANTANANARIVO 262 ¶1. SUMMARY: After hitting Antalaha and Maroantsetra hard, tropical cyclone Indlala has gradually dissipated as it moves west/southwest over land. Amidst the ongoing lack of definitive communication, unofficial reports of structural and flooding damage are considerable; contacts cite "thigh-deep" floods and report that 90 percent of buildings lost their roofs. There have been no reports of human casualties yet. Post is increasingly concerned about unsuccessful attempts to establish contact with two Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) who took shelter in a hard-hit area in Antalaha and ONE private American. Post continues to reach out to confirm the safety of these three AmCits. END SUMMARY. ¶2. After passing through Antalaha, Maroantsetra and Mandritsara March 15, Cyclone Indlala continues to weaken as it moves west/southwest at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour with average wind speeds of 75 kilometers per hour. Second-hand contacts report that 90 percent of Antalaha's buildings, many of which are constructed of sheet metal and wood, lost their roofs in the storm. They report most administrative buildings were untouched, but that even some cement structures suffered damages. Power is still out in Antalaha, and there is still very limited communication by commercial telephone. Post has received conflicting reports about the extent of damages in Maroantsetra. Some contacts say its buildings suffered significant structural damage, while others report no major damage other than "thigh-deep" flooding. Telephone communication with Maroantsetra is not possible at this time. Security contacts report that several prisoners fled the jail in Maroantsetra at the height of the storm. In all areas hit by Indlala thus far, local NGOs are concerned about the ancillary health effects of flooding, and the price of rice is expected to escalate rapidly. ¶3. Of the five PCVs in the storm's path, three in and around Maroantsetra have been contacted and are known to be safe-and-sound. Post has been unable to make contact with the two PCVs in the Antalaha area who had taken shelter in a cement structure by 2230 March 14 (Reftel). Post is concerned, as the shelter is located between the CARE and Air Madagascar offices -- both of which reportedly suffered heavy wind and wave damage in the storm. Contacts report the CARE office took a heavy hit, and a side of Air Madagascar's office measuring 15 meters was washed away by a wave. A vehicle sent down from Sambava at 0700 (a drive that normally takes ONE hour) to locate the PCVs had still not reached Antalaha at 1200 due to poor driving conditions. Local NGOs and gendarmes are also looking for the PCVs. Post is still trying to locate another AmCit in the Maroantsetra area who has not responded to numerous attempts to contact him (and who possibly is no longer in the country). Post will report on all whereabouts and welfare to the CA/OCS Duty Officer over the weekend as soon as information becomes available. MCGEE