Cyclone Freddy’s battering winds make landfall in Madagascar

This image from Meteosat-9 satellite shows Tropical Cyclone Freddy, right, and Madagascar on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Schools, businesses and public transportation shut down before Freddy made landfall Tuesday evening, battering the island with strong winds and rain. (NOAA via AP)

A slightly weakened Tropical Cyclone Freddy has made landfall on the east coast of Madagascar, with schools, businesses and public transport shut down as strong winds and rain lash the island.

The cyclone packed winds gusting to 180kph (about 111mph), with waves higher than 15 metres (about 49ft) battering the coast.