The Indian Ocean island of Madagascar was on Thursday picking up the pieces after tropical cyclone Fanele whipped across its western half, destroying hundreds of homes and dousing the area with torrential rains, causing flooding, reported dpa. The Western resort of Morondava, which has a population of about 80,000, and the surrounding towns were 80 per cent destroyed, the regional administrator, Mamy Elis ee Andriamasiarison, said. Fanele slammed into Madagascar in the early hours of Wednesday morning at wind speeds of up to 260 kilometres per hour. In Morondava, one person was reported killed and 27 injured, the Midi Madagasikara newspaper reported. Around 3,000 people were left homeless after their homes were partially or fully destroyed and were being accommodated in schools, churches, the local hospital or Red Cross shelters, the report said. A number of public buildings, including schools and administration offices, in Morondava also suffered extensive damage. Most of the town, which is famous for its Baobab (Africa's "upside-down" tree) Avenue, was still under water. Power and water supplies to the town have been cut. "We spent the whole night under a sturdy desk," Lova Jeanne, a mother from Morondava told one newspaper. Fanele weakened Wednesday as it passed over the southern highlands before turning back towards the Indian Ocean Thursday.
