2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
The 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season featured the most intense tropical cyclone in the South-West Indian Ocean, Cyclone Gafilo, as well as nine other named storms. Tropical activity began on September 28 when Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba formed at a low latitude. Activity continued until late May, following Severe Tropical Storm Juba, which marked the third year in a row that a storm formed in May. The final disturbance, one of sixteen, dissipated on May 24. Activity was near average, and the season was one of the longest on record.
| 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | September 28, 2003 |
| Last system dissipated | May 24, 2004 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Gafilo (Most intense cyclone in Southwest Indian Ocean on record) |
| • Maximum winds | 230 km/h (145 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 895 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total disturbances | 16 |
| Total depressions | 10 |
| Total storms | 10 |
| Tropical cyclones | 5 |
| Intense tropical cyclones | 3 |
| Very intense tropical cyclones | 1 |
| Total fatalities | 396 total |
| Total damage | $250 million (2004 USD) |
| Related articles | |
The first intense tropical cyclone was Beni, which reached that intensity on November 13, the third-earliest on record. In December, Tropical Cyclone Cela moved across Madagascar, and Severe Tropical Storm Darius dropped heavy rainfall in the Mascarene Islands. In January, Cyclone Elita crossed Madagascar three times, which caused widespread flooding and 33 deaths. Also in that month was Intense Tropical Cyclone Frank, which developed quickly but remained away from land. On March 7, Cyclone Gafilo struck near Antalaha in northeast Madagascar and largely destroyed the town. Across the country, the storm destroyed over 20,000 homes, leaving 304,000 people homeless. Nationwide, the storm killed 363 people and left $250 million in damage (2004 USD). Later in March, two storms – Nicky and Oscar – crossed 90° E from the Australian basin and were renamed Helma and Itseng, respectively. Tropical cyclones in this basin are monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion.