A rapid geospatial analysis of the impacts of floods in Madagascar, 2026
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Madagascar has faced a series of severe cyclones in recent years, bringing intense seasonal rainfall and widespread flooding across the region. In response to the most recent events - Cyclones Fytia and Gezani - a rapid, integrated geospatial flood impact assessment was conducted, delivering a data-driven overview of flood effects with a primary focus on agriculture, population exposure and livestock. The methodology integrated remote sensing analysis using satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) imagery, precipitation data and multiple ancillary datasets including land cover, crop masks and population distribution.
Results showed that 5.1 percent of the territory across three regions – Alaotra Mangoro, Atsinanana and Boeny – was flooded, with 30.6 percent of cropland affected. Impacts were most severe in the Boeny region, where over half of total cropland and up to 60 percent of rice fields were inundated, and in Alaotra Mangoro, where 45 percent of cropland was affected. Regarding population, around 8.5 percent of residents were exposed (with a slightly higher percentage in rural areas) while livestock impacts were comparatively limited at 5.6 percent. In addition, the road network affected by flooding and landslides was also estimated as part of the assessment.
This geospatial assessment provides updated information on cyclone-induced flooding, with particular attention to the spatial distribution and intensity of impacts, offering actionable insights to support humanitarian operations, policy formulation and further analysis. The findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen disaster resilience through permanent monitoring and early warning systems to enhance preparedness and response to future cyclonic events.