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