Cyclone Gafilo near its record peak intensity while approaching Madagascar on 6 March
Meteorological history
Formed
1 March 2004
Extratropical
15 March 2004
Dissipated
18 March 2004
Very intense tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (MFR)
Highest winds
230 km/h (145 mph)
Lowest pressure
895 hPa (mbar); 26.43 inHg (Record low in the South-West Indian Ocean, Third-lowest in Southern Hemisphere)
Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds
260 km/h (160 mph)
Lowest pressure
898 hPa (mbar); 26.52 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities
363
Missing
+181
Damage
$250 million (2004 USD)
Areas affected
Madagascar
IBTrACS
Part of the 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo was both the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the South-West Indian Ocean and the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2004. Being unusually large and intense, Gafilo was the deadliest and most destructive cyclone of the 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. According to the EM-DAT International Disaster Database, Gafilo killed at least 363 people.[1] Gafilo also caused about $250 million (2004 USD) damages in Madagascar, which makes it one of the most devastating storms to hit the country on reliable record.
Forming south of Diego Garcia, it intensified into a moderate tropical storm on 3 March. One day later, Gafilo became a tropical cyclone, and it ultimately intensified into a very intense tropical cyclone on 6 March, prior to making landfall over Madagascar early on the next day. After crossing the island, Gafilo emerged into the Mozambique Channel and made landfall over Madagascar again on 9 March. After a three-day loop overland, the system arrived at the Indian Ocean on 13 March, and it transitioned into a subtropical depression on 14 March. Gafilo then became extratropical on the next day and weakened, before dissipating on 18 March.
^"At least 5 killed when cyclone hits Madagascar". UPI. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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