Heavy rains and strong winds from a cyclone hit northeast Madagascar on Tuesday, raising concerns about flooding and landslides.

Aid workers were on alert as Cyclone Enawo lashed the coastline. The storm was expected to move south through the island nation for several days, affecting the capital of Antananarivo along the way.

 

Some of the worst weather occurred near Antalaha in the Sava area. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

 

Enawo is the strongest storm to hit Madagascar since a tropical cyclone named Giovanna in 2012, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

 

The new cyclone is comparable in strength to Cyclone Ivan, which killed nearly 100 people and displaced 190,000 in 2008, the aid organization said in a statement.

 

Northeast Madagascar had two days of heavy rain before the cyclone’s arrival, forcing some communities to evacuate, the statement said. Hundreds of volunteers have deployed in the area to help any families who lack shelter, water and other basic needs.

 
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