Madagascar - Tropical cyclone FYTIA (ECHO 04 Feb 2026)Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:16
- A new tropical cyclone named FYTIA formed over the northern Mozambique Channel on 29 January in the afternoon (UTC) and started moving east toward Madagascar as a tropical storm. On 30 January at 6.00 UTC, its centre was located offshore approximately 210 km west of the town of Vilamasta (north-western Madagascar), with maximum sustained winds of 116 km/h (tropical storm).
- On the forecast track, FYTIA is expected to make landfall over the Vilamasta town area on 30 January very late in the evening, with maximum sustained winds up to 169 km/h (tropical cyclone). After that, on 31 January, it is forecast to continue moving southeastward inland over central Madagascar as a tropical storm.
- Over the next 72 hours, very heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges are forecast over central and northern Madagascar.
FYTIA-26 - EC/ECHO daily mapFri, 30 Jan 2026 17:27
A new EC/ECHO daily map is now available
Madagascar, Reunion - Tropical cyclone FYTIA, update (ECHO 07 Feb 2026)Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:21
- Tropical cyclone FYTIA made landfall over the Soalala town area (north-western Madagascar) on 31 January just after 0.00 UTC, with maximum sustained winds up to 179 km/h. After that, it continued moving southeastward inland over central Madagascar on 31 January, weakening as a tropical storm. On 2 February at 6.00 UTC, its centre was located over the Indian Ocean, approximately 400 km east of the central-eastern coast of Madagascar and 295 km west of Reunion, with maximum sustained winds of 106 km/h (tropical storm).
- The BNGRC and media reports, as of 2 February, three fatalities across the Antananarivo capital city area. In addition, UN OCHA reports approximately 5 000 displaced people and eight destroyed schools.
- On the forecast track, FYTIA is expected to continue moving south-east over the ocean, well off the coast of Reunion (approximately 170 km), on 3-4 February, further weakening.
- Over the next 72 hours, heavy rainfall with locally heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges are still forecast over most of Madagascar. Moderate rainfall is forecast over Reunion starting from 3 February for 72 hours.
Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius - Tropical cyclone FYTIA, update (ECHO 07 Feb 2026)Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:51
- On 2 February, tropical cyclone FYTIA continued moving south-east over the southern Indian Ocean, well off the coast of Reunion, as a tropical storm. On 3 February at 6.00 UTC, its centre was located over the ocean, approximately 270 km south-west of Reunion, with maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h.
- Its passage over central and eastern Madagascar from 31 January to 1 February caused floods, and strong wind-related incidents resulted in casualties and damage. UN OCHA reports, as of 3 February, seven fatalities, one still missing person, seven injured people, and over 20 000 displaced people, 10 853 houses flooded, 1 406 partially damaged and 1 776 destroyed. The most affected districts are Soalala, Mitsinjo, where access is severely constrained, currently only by air, and Antananarivo.
- The Copernicus EMS was activated in rapid mapping mode () on 2 February. A multi-sectoral aerial assessment with UNHAS is planned to determine impact figures and priority needs, with humanitarian partners preparing to scale up response. Government-led response efforts are ongoing, including the deployment of several hundred tons of food assistance to affected districts.
- On the forecast track, FYTIA is expected to continue moving south-east over the ocean, further weakening and dissipating on 5 February.
- Over the next 72 hours, more rainfall with locally heavy rainfall is still forecast over most of Madagascar. Moderate rainfall is forecast over Reunion over the next 96 hours. Light rainfall is also forecast over Mauritius starting from 4 February for 48 hours.
FYTIA-26 - Copernicus EMS activationTue, 03 Feb 2026 18:35
[EMSR863] Tropical Cyclone FYTIA in Madagascar
Madagascar, Reunion - Tropical cyclone FYTIA, update (ECHO 07 Feb 2026)Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:56
- On 3 February, tropical cyclone FYTIA continued moving south-east over the southern Indian Ocean, well off the coast of Reunion, as a tropical storm, weakening. On 4 February at 6.00 UTC, its centre was located over the ocean, approximately 230 km south of Reunion, with maximum sustained winds of 53 km/h (tropical depression).
- Its passage over west, central and eastern Madagascar from 31 January to 1 February caused floods, and strong wind-related incidents resulted in casualties and damage. The BNGRC reports, as of 4 February, ten fatalities, one still missing person, seven injured people, 23 712 displaced people and 66 414 affected people countrywide. The most affected districts are Soalala, Mitsinjo, Mahajanga, Maevatanana, Analalava, Antsohihy, Port-Berge, Mampikony and Antananarivo.
- The Copernicus EMS was activated in rapid mapping mode () on 2 February, and four maps have been produced so far.
- On the forecast track, FYTIA is expected to dissipate on 4 February in the evening (UTC).
- Over the next 48 hours, more heavy rainfall, with locally very heavy rainfall, is still forecast over most of Madagascar. Moderate rainfall is forecast over Reunion over the next 72 hours.
FYTIA-26 - EC/ECHO daily mapWed, 04 Feb 2026 18:08
A new EC/ECHO daily map is now available
Madagascar, Reunion - Tropical cyclone FYTIA, update (ECHO 07 Feb 2026)Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:17
- The humanitarian impact is increasing following the passage of tropical cyclone FYTIA, which crossed northern Madagascar between?31?January and?1?February.
- According to national authorities, 12 people died (two in Antananarivo, one in Ambato-Boeny, four in Soalala, four in Anjozorobe, and one in Mahajanga). Seven others were injured and almost?31?000 people have been displaced.
- A new area of disturbance has formed over the Indian Ocean and may develop into a tropical cyclone. The system could move southwest, passing very close to the northern coast of Réunion (France) and the eastern coast of Madagascar on?10?February.
- The Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) was activated in rapid-mapping mode () on?2?February, and four maps have been produced so far.
- Over the next?24?hours, additional moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast for most of Madagascar and Réunion.
