Madagascar: Final Blog

 Madagascar: Final Blog

    Madagascar is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of southern Africa and is the fifth largest island. The population of the island is considerably about twenty-eight million and currently has one of the planet’s highest poverty rates. Despite the poverty rates and population growth, the island is considerably beautiful with its people and environment. Also, the constant hazardous weather is prominent and treacherous.

    Madagascar has numerous natural hazards that are considerably dangerous. One of them is cyclones. Cyclones are an area of low atmospheric pressure with rotating winds. The intensity depends on their sustained wind speeds and lowest atmospheric pressure. A form of this would be a tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones form over warm tropical waters between the latitudes of 5-20 degrees. Extratropical cyclones form over land or water in temperate regions between the latitudes of 30-70 degrees. Both of these cyclones are very disastrous and change in their source of strength and formation. Cyclones can cause numerous damages on the island. The crucial would be the loss of life, buildings destroyed, and damages to roads.

Madagascar High Hazard Level
of an Upcoming Cyclone.

Cyclone Freddy

    Cyclones form a cluster of thunderstorms generating over warm tropical seas. If the cluster carries on in an area of low pressure, it will start rotating. If the circumstances are precise, the cluster of thunderstorms can advance in length and maintain itself and therefore form into a cyclone. This type of storm should be considered a priority. Cyclones can occur on the ocean as well as on land and will destroy anything in its path. For instance, a recent cyclone hit February 2023 called Cyclone Freddy. This cyclone surpassed all meteorological records. It has killed over 400 in total and evicted thousands of people. Currently, the hazard level of another cyclone is very high. This means calculated planning and construction methods needed to be in consideration.

    Another natural hazard that is dangerous is flooding. Flooding is a constant overflow of water that drenches land that is generally dry. In fact, flooding can occur after a tropical cyclone. Flooding is a major threat from tropical cyclones for the citizens of Madagascar since the continent is on an island. There are three different types of flooding: urban, river, and coastal flooding. River flooding is when the water level in a river overflows onto the homelands. Urban flooding occurs when city landscapes cannot consume excess water after intense rainfall. Coastal flooding happens when dry land is submerged by seawater. Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.

Madagascar High Hazard Level
of Urban Flooding

Madagascar High Hazard Level
of River Flooding

    

    Cheneso Flooding hit Madagascar in January 2023. A slow-moving storm has drowned northwestern Madagascar with rain. Tropical Storm Cheneso killed dozens and evicted thousands of people from their homes. Flooding should be considered a priority for all of Madagascar. These three types of flooding have a high hazard level from it occurring again. Project planning needs to be taken into consideration.

    In order to assist Madagascar with these serious natural hazards, project planning needs to be addressed. During a cyclone, it is best recommended to stay inside and stay clear of windows, doors, and lights. Another option is to gather emergency supplies. People will need supplies to keep families protected and healthy. It would be best to have emergency medicine supply for any family member who is possibly injured. These supplies would be considered a go-bag or an emergency supply kit. If a family is needed to evacuate, follow the roads that emergency workers recommend if there is traffic. Although, do not drive through flooded areas.

Cyclone Freddy Damages

    Recommendations for floodings are similar to cyclones. During a flood watch, families should gather emergency information and supplies. These supplies include indestructible food and water. Have at least a gallon of water or more per person for each day. Prepare the supplies for at least three days. Keep an ear out to the local radio or television station for recent updates. The whole continent would be at risk for an upcoming cyclone. Citizens of Madagascar need to take serious precautions and shelter. For urban flooding, there are only certain parts of the continent that are at high risk. Regions like Sava, Analanjirofo, Betsiboka, Analamanga, Atsinanana, Menabe, Haute Matsiatra, and Anosy. For river flooding, in the north, east, and west of Madagascar are at extreme risk. For coastal flooding, the northwestern part of the continent is at huge risk. Citizens who live in this part of the continent should migrate to the east.

    If I were to live in Madagascar and have unlimited money, I would live directly in the center of the continent. The house would be constructed in Vakinankaratra.  The house would be constructed normally, but I would have to build a waterproof basement. The waterproof basement will have emergency supplies like food, water, medicine kit, and more. I wouldn’t mind if the home was a little dismantled, as long as my future family is safe. The waterproof basement would have to be big enough to not be claustrophobic.

Waterproof Basement

Emergency Kit

References:

1. Madagascar Overview: Development news, research, data | World Bank

2. Think Hazard - Madagascar - Cyclone

3. Chapter 10: GEOL 9 (0007/0382/1051) SP23 (instructure.com) 

4. What is a Tropical Cyclone? (bom.gov.au) 

5. Cyclone Freddy broke records and ravaged countries. How does the healing begin? : Goats and Soda : NPR

6. Chapter 6: GEOL 9 (0007/0382/1051) SP23 (instructure.com) 

7. Cheneso Floods Madagascar (nasa.gov)

8. Preparing for a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm | Hurricanes (cdc.gov) 

9. Flood Safety Tips | Environmental Health Features (cdc.gov)