Tropical Storm Irina Kills 65 in Madagascar

As word reached Madagascar’s capital that 65 people were killed in the southeast in landslides and floods caused by a tropical storm, the prime minister set out Tuesday to lead an emergency mission to the hardest hit regions.

The storm, Irina hit the Indian Ocean island late on Feb. 26. The official report on its impact was issued Monday after information trickled in from isolated regions. Prime Minister Jean Omer Beriziky headed to the region.

Several roads in the southeast were impassible.

Irina also caused death and destruction in Mozambique and South Africa, but not on as large a scale.

An earlier storm, Giovanna, killed 35 and left 240,000 homeless on Madagascar, according to the latest figures. Giovanna struck Madagascar Feb. 14.