20110202
Xinhua
ANTANANARIVO, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 1,000 people in Madagascar's southern town of Tulear have been affected by the heavy rains pounding the area for two weeks, according to the National Bureau for Disaster Management (BNGRC).

The downpour led to the bursting of river banks around Tulear and other southern regions like Amboasary and Betroka, the BNGRC said on Tuesday, adding that the flood swept away three people and destroyed hundreds of houses.

The problems have not ended there for the victims because they do not have drinking water and there are fears of an outbreak of waterborne diseases like diarrhea.

At the same time, public infrastructure like primary schools, health centers and roads are threatened by the floods if the dykes around the rivers are damaged.

On Monday, the BNGRC warned of abundant rainfall to be accompanied by strong winds in the southern part of the Indian Ocean island.

In this regard, the locals were asked to take precautions to avoid being swept away by raging waters or landslides. A similar appeal was made to the fishermen in the eastern part of the country.

The BNGRC and the Public Works Ministry are on the ground in the southern part of the country to assess the extent of damage on the infrastructure.