ANTANANARIVO: The death toll from Madagascar's strong tropical cyclone Batsirai has increased to 111, according to the country's Disaster Risk Management Office (BNGRC).

According to the latest report, 87 people died in the district of Ikongo, which is located in the Fitovinany region in the country's south-eastern corner.

"Ikongo, like the districts of Ifanadiana and other locations in the south-east, is a highly steep terrain, and thus particularly vulnerable to landslides and collapses, especially during very heavy rains," a BNGRC official noted. According to reports, the BNGRC has registered 117,931 persons from 24,747 households and more over 30,000 displaced people in 117 shelter facilities around Madagascar as of February 11.

Batsirai, an intense tropical cyclone, made landfall in Madagascar on Saturday evening, with the exact location being tracked at 14 kilometres north of Mananjary, 535 kilometres southeast of the capital Antananarivo. Batsirai travelled from east to west throughout the country before heading out to sea in the Mozambique Channel on Sunday.

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