The cyclone Batsirai, which has made landfall on the east coast of Madagascar on Saturday evening, has weakened as it moved inland.

Located near 22.9S 44.4E, Batsirai is moving southwestward at 10 knots (18.5 km/h). Maximum sustained winds are near 50 knots (93 km/h).

Batsirai is expected to emerge at the sea in the Mozambique Channel later on Sunday, track towards the south avoiding mainland Africa and weaken into a subtropical cyclone.

Although the system has weakened, the cyclone is expected to cause significant and widespread damage.

Update 5th of February 2022, 10.00 p.m. UTC

Batsirai made landfall near the city Mananjary with maximum sustainable winds of 165 km/h, gusts reached up to 230 km/h. The storm was equivalent of category 3 cyclone.

Cyclone will rapidly weaken as it moves inland over the rugged terrain of Madagascar. However heavy rainfall should continue throughout the rest of the night, causing very dangerous conditions.

Update 5th of February 2022, 11.00 a.m. UTC

Citizens of Madagascar are bracing for the landfall of Batsirai, which is currently just a few hours away from striking the coast with hurricane-force winds, torrential rain and floods, posing a serious threat to millions.

Cyclone is located near 19.9S 51.3E with maximum winds of 185 km/h, moving at 14 km/h.

Landfall is expected between afternoon and evening today on the east coast as an intense tropical cyclone, winds could reach up to 200 km/h and waves up to 15 metres.

Update 4th of February 2022, 10.00 p.m. UTC

Cyclone Batsirai is now approaching Madagascar coast with estimated winds of 212 km/h, equivalent to Category 4 hurricane, This phase of intensification could continue up to landfall.

Batsirai is predicted to hit the land between cities Mahanoro and Mananjarn, on Saturday afternoon, local time.

Preparations should be rushed to completion, as the cyclone will bring heavy rainfall of 30 cm, very powerful winds and storm surge. Landslides and flooding could leave tens of thousands of people homeless.

Update 4th of February 2022, 10.30 a.m. UTC

Continuing its track towards the west-southwest at 6 knots (11 km/h), Batsirai was located near 19.4.S 53.9E. Maximum sustained winds are near 105 knots (194 km/h).

Batsirai is expected to make landfall over central Madagascar on Saturday. The system will then continue to track west-southwest across the island and then enter the Mozambique channel and begin to track towards the south.

A slight intensification to 110 knots (204 km/h) is expected prior to the landfall. It is forecasted that the system will decrease its intensity once it moves over land and then reintensifies in the Mozambique Channel.

Update 3rd of February 2022, 10.00 a.m. UTC

Batsirai has rapidly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane-equivalent strength as it passed to the north of the main island of Mauritius. The system is currently positioned near 19.1S 55.7E, moving near 4 knots (7.4 km/h) towards the west-southwest.

Maximum sustained winds are near 115 knots (213 km/h) with gusts near 140 knots (259 km/h)

Environmental conditions are expected to remain favourable for Batsirai, leading to a potential period of re-intensification as Batsirai heads for the east-central coast of Madagascar on Saturday morning with an intensity of about 85 knots (157 km/h).

However, Batsirai's interaction with the mountainous terrain of Madagascar will likely rapidly weaken the system, some intensification is expected in the Mozambique Channel on Monday.

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