In recent days, we have received pictures from Rev Antsa, the priest in charge of the district of Amboasary, in the deep south of the Diocese, showing children playing happily in large puddles, and emaciated cattle drinking. The rain there is very welcome, as the area was recently in sufficiently severe drought that some cattle were dying of thirst.

Near the western coast, however, people are understandably not so happy.  Cyclones between Madagascar and Mozambique have brought several days of torrential rain that has flooded their homes, and is due to continue for the next couple of days, followed by extreme heat.  

Rev Delphin (who lives in the cathedral complex) has sent a video of the complex.  It is rainier than when the cyclone hit the area in 2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdCVertvlpI

Rev Gaston, who recently transferred from the deep south to serve on the west coast of the diocese has sent pictures of knee-deep water in and around his home. 

The people in Toliara town are anxiously hoping to keep their few possessions out of the floodwaters in their homes, and also finding the weather too cold, as heavy rainclouds blot out the sun.

Please hold them in your prayers