Cyclone Haruna

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Tropical Cyclone Haruna formed in mid-February 2013 in the Mozambique Channel, between Mozambique and southwestern Madagascar. It slowly strengthened into a powerful storm as it moved around the region, reaching peak winds of about 150 km/h (according to Madagascar’s meteorological center) and then moving toward Madagascar.

Haruna made landfall near Morombe in southwestern Madagascar on February 22, 2013, and quickly weakened while crossing the country. It re-entered the Indian Ocean and dissipated a couple of days later.

In Madagascar, Haruna brought heavy rain and flooding. A dyke along the Fiherenana River in Toliara broke, flooding large parts of the town and cutting water and electricity. About 6,000 people were evacuated from danger. Across the affected area, 13,882 people were left homeless and 7,402 houses were destroyed. The storm damaged rice and maize crops, and a later locust outbreak affected half of the country’s farmland by July 2013. In total, 26 people were killed and 127 were injured. There were outbreaks of diseases such as malaria and dysentery in the storm’s aftermath, and water supplies were often contaminated.

Relief and recovery efforts followed. The government and international aid groups distributed food, helped disinfect wells, and provided shelter and medical aid. The World Food Programme delivered food to thousands, and other organizations offered vaccines, water treatment, and building supplies. By early April, many displaced people had returned home, and reconstruction began, including repairs to the dyke in Toliara and to local roads.