AP

Antananarivo: Officials in Madagascar say a cyclone that hit the Indian Ocean island left three people dead.

Cyclone Giovanna struck land at about 1am on Tuesday, bringing rain and high winds. About 70 families had to flee their home because of floods.

According to national disaster officials, one of the dead was struck by an electricity pylon toppled by high winds in Brickaville, about 260km east of the capital, Antananarivo.

The collapse of a house in Brickaville killed another person, and a third drowned in Moramanga, about 100km east of Antananarivo.

The storm tore roofs off houses, damaged buildings and trees, and caused power cuts in the capital.

Air Madagascar’s website said the airline had cancelled all flights leaving from Antananarivo for the day, although aviation authorities said the airport was still open.

Giovanna had already forced Port Louis Airport in Mauritius to close on Saturday.

Cyclone season in Madagascar runs from November to April. – Sapa-AFP, AP