Madagascar faces tropical downpours, renewed flooding fears this week
Meteorologists are monitoring more flooding over Madagascar which could cause some locations to surpass their average yearly rainfall totals less than a quarter of the way into 2020.
The island is no stranger to an abundance of wet weather, including the threat of tropical downpours.
Much of central and northern Madagascar has been hit the hardest in the region since the start of the year; this includes a flooding event that took place at the end of January.
Northwest Madagascar, where the rivers run red in extreme flooding. Our thoughts are with those affected. Stay safe. pic.twitter.com/88SOOa9nQn
— Christina H Koch (@Astro_Christina) January 28, 2020
February was quite similar for many in the region.
The city of Tamatave, located along the eastern shores of central Madagascar, was inundated with more than 650 mm (25 inches) of rain during the month. This brought the city's rainfall total so far this year to more than 1,080 mm (42.5 inches).
Occasionally, Tamatave is left exposed to any moisture that pushes onshore from the Indian Ocean, making it a generally wet place. However, the total average rainfall the city experiences is around 1,100 mm (43.3 inches).
More rounds of wet weather are expected to push many communities in Madagascar past their annual yearly rainfall amount before mid-March.
More than 50 mm (2 inches) of rain could fall in just one day this week, so the same areas hit several times could end up with over 100 mm (4 inches) by the end of the week.
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The above satellite image shows a swirl of clouds to the east of Madagascar on Monday afternoon, local time. (CIRA/RAMMB). |
An area of low pressure to the east of Madagascar will help to invigorate the downpours. This low will slowly drift westward through the week. As it does so, there is a small chance that it organizes into a tropical entity.
Should a tropical depression or storm develop, the chances of heavy, flooding rainfall will increase, which will likely impact a more widespread area.
Even if an organized tropical system fails to materialize, rounds of wet weather are likely with the tropical moisture in the area.
The wet weather at the beginning of 2020 comes after Cyclone Belna hit Madagascar back in December. The storm was blamed for at least nine deaths.
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