"We've issued an alert for the whole of northwestern Madagascar, from Tamatave to Diego, because a cyclone has developed and is heading straight for the town of Sambava," a weather expert told AFP.

Last month, 29 people were killed, 100 injured and 44,000 left homeless by cyclone Elita, according to figures released by the national rescue council. The government of the large country off Africa's southeast coast has asked for aid.

"At noon local time (0900 GMT), the cyclone was 700 kilometres (434 miles) northeast of Sambava. Average wind speed was 130 kilometres per hour, with gusts of 180 kph," the meteorologist said.

Madagascar is usually exposed to cyclones between December and March, but the season can be longer. In May 2003, cyclone Manou devastated part of the country, killing 70 people on the east coast.

TERRA.WIRE