GlobalPost.com - 2/22/12, Agence France-Presse

Tropical cyclone Haruna has hit the large Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar, claiming one life and threatening some 30 southern towns, authorities said.

The cyclone struck Madagascar 15 hours earlier than expected, having "deviated from its trajectory and landed 50 kilometres (31 miles) from the (southeastern) town of Morombe at around 6:00 am (0300 GMT)", the head of the forecasting division of the meteorological service, Ndinizara Newsman de Priscofe, told AFP.

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