Two young girls were injured by a falling utility pole during violent storms in Antehiroka on Friday evening. Several homes were also damaged.
Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and hail caused two injuries and significant material damage in Antehiroka on Friday night. Two girls, aged 10 and 14, were struck by a utility pole that collapsed as they were walking home from school in Morondava Antehiroka. They received medical treatment, and their condition is no longer considered critical. Numerous homes and other properties also sustained damage.
“It was raining when the wind intensified, tearing off half of the sheet metal roof of a large building. As it fell onto the power lines, it dragged down a utility pole, which struck the two girls as they were passing by. Gendarmes and local fokontany officials arrived at the scene shortly after,” witnesses reported.
Emergency efforts initially focused on assisting the victims. The severe weather also affected other neighborhoods in Antehiroka. Many houses suffered roof damage, while some were destroyed, forcing families to seek shelter with relatives while waiting for repairs.
On Saturday, representatives from the Antehiroka commune visited various fokontany to assess the damage and provide aid to the victims. Jirama and other relevant services were called upon to handle the fallen poles and trees.
The Director General of Jirama and electricity distribution officials also visited Ambohijanahary to inspect the network following prolonged power outages. Investigations revealed several causes for the disruptions. Beyond the aging infrastructure, which makes it vulnerable to storms and high winds, external incidents also damaged the installations.
In Imamba, a roof blown away by the wind severed medium-voltage cables, causing a power cut on the Ambohijanahary line. In Ambohibao, another pole was found in contact with Jirama high-voltage cables. The disappearance of a manual overhead switch (IACM) was also noted in Ambohitrimanjaka.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-26 06:09:13 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/intemperies-antehiroka-des-blessees-et.html