35 killed by cyclone Chedza in Madagascar

At least 35 people were killed by cyclone Chedza, which hit Madagascar Jan 16 and 17, the National Disaster Risk Management Office (BNGRC) said Tuesday.

BNGRC recorded 117,181 people affected by floods due to heavy rainfall, Xinhua quoted Executive Secretary Ludovic Lomotsy as saying.

The regions of Analamanga in the centre, Bongolava in the middle west, Menabe in southwest, Atsimo Atsinanana and Vatovavy Fitovinany in the southeast, were the most affected by the rising water level, power cut and landslides.

The southeast region of Madagascar was hardest hit with 52,936 people left homeless.

The Minister of Education Paul Rabary said that 157 primary schools, 14 colleges and five high schools were also damaged by the the cyclone.

Cyclone Chedza made landfall at the western part of the country Jan 16 afternoon and left Madagascar Jan 17 by the east coast before weakening over the Indian Ocean, according to Madagascar's meteorological services.