Madagascar: Humanitarian impact of Tropical Cyclone Fytia Flash Update No. 2 (02 February 2026)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tropical Cyclone Fytia crossed Madagascar on 31 January, causing significant flooding and damage, particularly in north-western districts, with additional urban flooding reported in Antananarivo and in eastern coast.
• At least seven people have been reported dead, one person is missing and seven others injured; more than 20,000 people have been displaced as of 2 February, with several thousand housing, education and health infrastructure affected.
• Government-led response efforts are ongoing, including the deployment of several hundred tons of food assistance to affected districts.
• Access to the most affected districts, notably Soalala and Mitsinjo, remains severely constrained, with both areas currently accessible only by air, limiting the scale and speed of response.
• A multi-sectoral aerial assessment is planned to determine impact figures and priority needs, with humanitarian partners preparing to scale up response activities once access and weather conditions allow.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Tropical Cyclone Fytia made landfall and crossed Madagascar in the early hours of 31 January 2026. The system struck near Soalala on the western coast before moving inland and subsequently exiting back into the Indian Ocean. The cyclone caused significant flooding and impacts in the north-western part of the island. Flooding was also reported in the capital, Antananarivo, following intense rainfall, placing significant strain on the drainage systems and increasing flood risks around river basins. Authorities have highlighted ongoing flood risks in low-lying plains around the capital due to weakened dykes and sustained high rainfall. Meteorological and disaster monitoring systems classified the cyclone as having medium humanitarian impact potential, given population exposure, underlying vulnerabilities, and hazard intensity. Forecast models indicate continued elevated rainfall totals across parts of the country and the potential for ongoing impacts as the system moves away from land.