'Intense' Cyclone Batsirai set to hit Madagascar

Dr Liz Stephens, climate research and resilience researcher at the University of Reading, said:

"Tropical Cyclone Batsirai is a far more intense storm than Tropical Storm Ana, which itself led to enormous impacts across Madagascar, Mozambique and Malawi in late January.

"Intense winds and waves will cause damage as the storm makes landfall along the central part of the east coast of Madagascar, and widespread flooding is expected in parts of Southern Madagascar, including those that have been suffering from recent drought.

"The University of Reading, in partnership with the University of Bristol, ECMWF and  HRWallingford have been tasked by FCDO with producing flood risk bulletins to support humanitarian efforts on the ground."