Heavy rains caused significant damage in the Vakinankaratra region this past weekend, with hailstorms damaging both homes and crops.
Residents of Soanindrariny, a village in the Antsirabe II district, spent yesterday repairing their homes and roofs. The damage occurred on Saturday afternoon. A local official noted, “The size of the hailstones was quite unusual, roughly the diameter of a bottle opening. The aging roofs could not withstand the impact and were pierced.” Nearly forty houses were reported affected in the village. Local authorities held a meeting to address the situation, and while some victims sought shelter with family, many were able to begin repairs as the weather cleared.
Farmers in Vakinankaratra also suffered losses. In several districts, hailstones fell in such large quantities that they covered the fields. A source in Ambohibary expressed concern for the potato harvest, noting that the crops are sensitive to excess water.
The General Directorate of Meteorology had placed several districts in the Central Highlands and Western Madagascar under red alert for heavy rain on Friday and Saturday due to atmospheric instability. While these alerts have been lifted and dry weather is expected early this week, thunderstorms are still anticipated in the Highlands by mid-week.
According to forecaster Lahatra Mampionona, a frontal system will influence the weather from Wednesday through the end of the week, bringing thunderstorms to the southeast and the southern half of the Central Highlands, gradually spreading to the rest of the Highlands and the western part of the country by Thursday.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-28 05:53:47 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/vakinankaratra-des-chutes-de-grele.html