Madagascar rain: Death toll from flooding and landslides rises to 26

The Madagascar capital of Antananarivo has been hit with heavy rains this month, causing destructive landslides. These images are from January 8 landslides. Photo / BNGRC

The death toll from flooding and landslides from torrential rains in Madagascar has risen to 26, authorities said Friday.

Another 15 people are missing, the national disaster management office said.

More than 92,000 people have been affected by the heavy rains that started Monday on the Indian Ocean island nation.

There is the risk of hunger and soaring food prices as rice fields in several districts have flooded in the region that is considered Madagascar's breadbasket, the office said.

Nearly 10,000 homes have been inundated in the northern part of the country. Authorities have said the military has deployed to help evacuate people at risk from rising waters.

Major roads in the north have been cut off in several places, leaving some villages isolated.

Officials have said the rains are expected to continue into next week.

- AP