Tropical Cyclone Batsirai Brings Wind and Rain to Madagascar

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai brought wind and rain to Madagascar on Saturday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai was located at latitude 21.5°S and longitude 46.3°E which put it about 60 miles (95 km) east-northeast of Beroroha, Madagascar. Batsirai was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

The center of Tropical Cyclone Batsirai made landfall on the east coast of Madagascar near Manajary on Saturday. Batsirai was the equivalent of a major hurricane when it made landfall. Tropical Cyclone Batsirai moved toward the west-southwest after it made landfall. The center of Batsirai passed just to the north of Fianarantsoa. Tropical Cyclone Batsirai weakened steadily after it moved over Madagascar, but it was still the equivalent of a strong tropical storm on Saturday night. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over the Southwest Indian Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Batsirai toward the southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will move across southwestern Madagascar. Tropical Cyclone Batsirai will continue to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to central and southern Madagascar on Sunday. Even though Batsirai has weakened, the potential for flash floods remains high. Tropical Cyclone Batsirai could move over the Mozambique Channel north of Toliara in 18 hours. Batsirai could strengthen after the center moves back over water.