Tropical storm, FREDDY, initially made landfall in the Eastern coast of Madagascar, between Mahanoro in Atsinanana region and Manakara in Fitovinany region on 21 February. With a recent and rare loop trajectory, the tropical storm made a return, touching the South-South-West of Toliara, in Atsimo Andrefana region on 06 March. Heavy rains pursued in the affected localities with degraded weather conditions persisting along the South and South-West coasts.

At least 11 people have so far died, according to the National Bureau for Disaster Risk Management, BNGRC.

For the 7 regions initially touched during FREDDY’s first passage, a total of 116,701, from 27,692 households have been affected. These regions include Vatovavy, Fitovinany, Atsimo Atsinanana, Haute Matsiatra, Menabe and Amoron'i mania.

Another 37,731 persons from 13,386 households have been displaced in the three districts of the Vatovavy Region; 6,465 huts flooded; 12,617 huts damaged; 9,737 huts destroyed as of 26 February 2023. Tropical Storm Freddy came on the heels of another tropical storm, Cheneso.