Early warning and preparedness likely saved thousands of lives during Cyclone Mocha, which struck the Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar in March 2021. Cyclone Mocha was a category 3 storm with sustained winds of up to 115 mph. In the days leading up to the storm, the government of Madagascar issued a series of warnings to residents in the path of the storm, telling them to prepare for the worst. The government also closed schools and evacuated people from low-lying areas.
In addition, the government established temporary shelters in safer areas, and provided food, water, and other supplies to those in need. All of these efforts likely saved thousands of lives, as the storm caused extensive damage in Madagascar. By the time the storm had passed, it had killed more than 100 people and left thousands more homeless.
The success of the government’s early warning and preparedness efforts serves as a reminder of the importance of such measures in saving lives during disasters. By taking the necessary steps to prepare for the storm, the government of Madagascar was able to mitigate much of the potential destruction caused by Cyclone Mocha. While the storm still caused significant damage, it could have been much worse if the government had not taken the necessary steps to prepare for it.