Many areas around the world are experiencing more turbulent weather than they are accustomed to dealing with. This is especially challenging for the poor.

Last week, Cyclone Ana hit central Madagascar, including the capital Antananarivo, on its way to mainland Africa, causing severe flooding and a river to break its banks. At least 48 were killed and 130,000 people have been forced to flee their homes to makeshift shelters. Johary, Rev. Canon Donné’s eldest son, sent this photo from Anosibe Anala where he now lives and works:

He says “The house where I live is at the top of the hill, so I think my family and I are safe but the other people down there need much prayer. There are some houses that we can’t see anymore, the cultivated areas are really destroyed, as are all the bridges from here to the the town where we import some of our needs like oil, salt, rice. So we know that prices will go up and some people will fall into famine.”

News reports indicate that there are fears that a second cyclone (Tropical Cyclone Batsirai) will hit the east coast of Madagascar this coming weekend. You can monitor the progress of approaching storms on the METEO Madagascar website

The Diocese of Toliara is several hundred miles south of the capital. Bishop Samy tells us that  it was 110 degrees F (43 degrees C) on Sunday and Monday in Toliara.  The heat is suffocating and burning in the south west particularly Toliara, Andranovory, Betioky and Ampanihy.   There is serious famine in Betioky.

It is crucial that this rainy season delivers adequate rain to prevent a return to drought-induced famine and to allow crops to grow, without there being so much rain that damage is done.

Please remember all these situations and the people of Madagascar in your prayers