Cyclone Bonita

Tropical Cyclone Bonita
Intense tropical cyclone (SWIO scale)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
	Satellite image of Cyclone Bonita approaching Madagascar
Formed	3 January 1996
Dissipated	20 January 1996
	(Remnant low after 15 January)
Highest winds	10-minute sustained: 185 km/h (115 mph); 1-minute sustained: 250 km/h (155 mph);
Lowest pressure	920 hPa (mbar); 27.17 inHg
Fatalities	~42
Areas affected	Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola
	Part of the 1995–96 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

Last updated July 25, 2023

Intense Tropical Cyclone Bonita in January 1996 struck both Madagascar and Mozambique, causing severe damage. The long-lived storm began developing in the last hours of 1995, and slowly consolidated over the open waters of the South-West Indian Ocean. Tracking generally toward the west-southwest, the disturbance received its name from Météo-France on 5 January. Ultimately peaking as an intense tropical cyclone, Bonita bypassed Mauritius and Réunion to the north before striking northeastern Madagascar late on 10 January. There, the storm affected up to 150,000 people, flooded wide tracts of croplands, and killed 25 people. In the aftermath, disaster relief came from both the government of Madagascar and the international community, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs); the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs assisted in the distribution of about $450,000 in monetary donations.

Bonita emerged into the Mozambique Channel as a significantly diminished storm, though it quickly regained some of its previous intensity. Three days after its initial landfall, the cyclone moved ashore over the Zambezia Province of Mozambique. Throughout northern parts of the country, Bonita triggered extensive flooding that damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and reportedly killed 17 individuals. Swollen rivers submerged roads and bridges, isolating some locations. A meteorological rarity, Bonita continued inland for several days, persisting as a distinct tropical low; the system traversed southern Africa and ultimately entered the South Atlantic Ocean. In the process, it dropped unseasonably heavy rainfall over Zimbabwe and Zambia. A paper published by the Zambia Meteorological Department asserted that Bonita was the first storm confirmed to have tracked across the African continent from the South-West Indian Ocean to the Southern Atlantic Ocean.

Meteorological history

Cyclone Bonita originated from a weak area of disturbed weather observed about 600 km (370 mi) to the east of Diego Garcia, in the Chagos Archipelago, on 31 December 1995. The system was marked by a distinct low-level circulation and curved banding features,^[1] and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) promptly began monitoring it.^[2] A hostile upper-air pattern prevented further organization over the following several days as the disturbance drifted generally toward the southwest. On 3 January, the low pressure center showed initial signs of strengthening,^[1] prompting Météo-France to declare it a tropical disturbance, the lowest of seven distinct intensity categories used by the agency.^[3] The surrounding environment became more favorable for tropical cyclogenesis, with increased upper-level divergence, and consequently, the system further matured;^[1] it was upgraded to a depression early on 5 January, and to a moderate tropical storm 12 hours later.^[3] At that time, it was named Bonita by Météo-France Réunion (MFR).^[4] The JTWC upgraded 06S (its internal designation for Bonita) to a tropical storm equivalent early the next day.^[2]

Continuing to intensify, the storm accelerated toward the west-southwest, heading nearly due west for a short time as it encountered a subtropical ridge of high pressure. The cyclone's inner structure steadily improved in organization, adhering well to the model of a well-developed tropical system. Transcending the severe tropical cyclone stage,^[4] Bonita achieved tropical cyclone status at 1200 UTC on 8 January.^[3] Passing just south of St. Brandon, the system exhibited a broad and ill-defined eye about 50 km (31 mi) across.^[4] The cyclone quickly strengthened over the course of the same day, with a consolidating eye and a formidable central dense overcast. Tracking about 225 km (140 mi) north of Mauritius, Bonita reached its peak intensity—as assessed by Météo-France—with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a central barometric air pressure of 920 hPa (27 inHg ). This made the storm as an intense tropical cyclone, the second-highest category on the regional scale.^[3] The JTWC stated that Bonita (06S) peaked at 12:00 UTC the next day, with 1-minute peak winds of 250 km/h (160 mph) (a Category 4 tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale).^[2]

According to Météo-France, Bonita began to weaken slightly in the early hours of 9 January,^[3]^[4] the eye becoming asymmetric and poorly defined. The ridge to the south prevented the storm from progressing to the south,^[4] and after passing about 270 km (170 mi) north of Réunion, Bonita shifted due west and later roughly west-by-north, apparently steered by a building mid-to-upper-level anticyclone south of Madagascar.^[5] It remained a strong tropical cyclone as it approached the eastern coast of Madagascar, making landfall near Mahavelona on the night of 10 January local time,^[6] or about 21:30 UTC. At the time of landfall, a clear eye was visible on satellite imagery.^[7] It crossed the island nation over the course of about a day, weakening significantly to a moderate tropical storm as it reemerged into the Mozambique Channel. Once over water, favorable conditions prompted quick reintensification of the cyclone, as it proceeded west-southwestward toward mainland Africa.^[6] At 12:00 UTC on 13 January, Bonita reattained severe tropical storm status, marking its secondary peak intensity with 10-minute winds of 95 km/h (59 mph).^[3] With an expansive circulation and a good structure, the cyclone made its second and final landfall over the Zambezia Province of Mozambique, between Quelimane and Pebane District, on the night of 13 January local time. Bonita meandered inland, weakening only gradually and nearly tracking back over open water.^[6]

Although the cyclone's "best track" listings by both Météo-France and the JTWC end at 0600 UTC on 15 January,^[2]^[3] its residual tropical low remained distinct and active as it continued generally westward across the southern African continent. Where nearly all landfalling tropical cyclones in the area recurve toward the south or dissipate quickly on moving ashore, a rare synoptic pattern allowed the remnants of Bonita to persist, moving over northern Zimbabwe on 16 January. For the next two days, the weakening storm remained prominent on satellite imagery, ultimately moving off the coast of Angola and entering the South Atlantic Ocean on 19 January. By the next day, the system had succumbed to cold waters and days of land interaction, dissipating completely. According to a paper published by the Zambia Meteorological Department, Bonita was the first tropical cyclone known to have traversed southern Africa from the South-West Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic.^[8]

Impact and aftermath

Madagascar

A recording station at Toamasina recorded 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain in 24 hours, accompanied by sustained winds of 150 km/h (93 mph). Stronger winds were observed on the offshore island of Île Sainte-Marie, where gusts exceeded 230 km/h (140 mph) on 10 January.^[9] Extensive freshwater flooding penetrated far inland, inundating 1,800 ha (4,400 acres ) of rice crops in one area alone near Antananarivo.^[10] Damage was heaviest along the northeastern coastline of Madagascar, particularly around Mahavelona, Fenoarivo Atsinanana, and Mahambo.^[9]^[11] where both infrastructure and crops took a heavy beating. In its seasonal tropical cyclone report, Météo-France confirmed that 25 people in the country were either killed, or unaccounted for and presumed dead.^[9] Overall, the storm impacted as many as 150,000 individuals,^[11] of whom 5,000 were left homeless.^[9] However, coverage of the disaster was scarce.^[12]

Following the storm, a government-endorsed disaster relief program was initiated to mitigate the developing humanitarian crisis in the three hardest-hit communes. The program was to distribute emergency food rations to 40,000 affected individuals, with special supplies intended to reach 1,500 malnourished children. A malnutrition rehabilitation center was established in Mahavelona as part of the program, which cost approximately $1.2 million (1996 USD) in total, and funded partially by the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA). At the end of February, the Government of Madagascar requested international aid; by 6 March, France and Germany had donated a combined $100,000 in assistance funds, as well as emergency supplies worth nearly $80,000.^[11] Overall, the DHA handled roughly $450,000 in foreign donations, mostly from Europe.^[13] United States Ambassador to Madagascar, Vicki J. Huddleston, authorized the allocation of $25,000 to distribute tarps, while the United States Agency for International Development sent $17,000 for medical treatment.^[14]

Immediately following the cyclone's onslaught, concerns arose amongst relief agencies and NGOs that the storm was either too early in the season or not damaging enough to dedicate a significant portion of disaster funds. Consequently, disagreements between prospective donors about the extent of emergency response resulted in delayed intervention. Post-storm assessments of the response to Bonita highlighted the need for increased coordination between agencies.^[14]

Africa

Bonita also proved destructive in northern Mozambique, notably in the provinces of Zambezia, Nampula, and Cabo Delgado. The storm extensively damaged about 400 houses in the city of Quelimane, which was left with severely impaired electric facilities. Subsequently, international entities distributed emergency food supplies to storm victims.^[15] Substantial rainfall caused damaging floods throughout inland portions of country, reportedly killing as many as 17 people. Floodwaters destroyed 2,500 ha (6,200 acres) of crops and demolished many buildings, including about 12 schools.^[16]^[17] The Buzi River swelled beyond its banks, sweeping away nearby houses and rendering roadways impassable in the Buzi District. Local officials were unable to reach the hardest-hit places, prompting fears of heavier destruction than what had been reported. Significant flooding was also reported in the Pungwe River watershed; bridges over two of its tributaries were submerged.^[12]

The remnants of Bonita dropped significant precipitation, described as the heaviest in 80 years, over drought-stricken eastern Zimbabwe. A long-standing two-day rainfall total was broken at Rusape, which recorded 135 mm (5.3 in) of precipitation between 15 and 16 January.^[18] Unsettled weather extended into Zambia, which endured relatively strong winds and noteworthy precipitation that contributed to above-normal seasonal rainfall totals in many areas; by comparison, rainfall remained average or even trended slightly below-average across northern and eastern sections of the nation. Daily rainfall totals in Zambia peaked at 134 mm (5.3 in) at Choma on January 16.^[8]

Related Research Articles

The 1995–96 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a moderately active season that included Cyclone Bonita, which was the first known tropical cyclone to cross from the southern Indian Ocean into the southern Atlantic Ocean. Tropical activity lasted for about six months from the middle of November 1995 to early May 1996. The first storm, Intense Tropical Cyclone Agnielle, formed in the adjacent Australian basin on November 16 and later reached peak winds in the south-west Indian Ocean. The next named storm after Agnielle was Bonita, which formed in early January and killed 42 people. The basin was most active in February, with two tropical cyclones, or the equivalent of a minimal hurricane, as well as a severe tropical storm. The first of these three was Doloresse, which killed 67 people due to a shipwreck in the Comoros. The next storm was Cyclone Edwige, which caused heavy crop damage on Mauritius before looping along the east coast of Madagascar. In March, both Cyclone Flossy and Tropical Storm Guylianne passed near the Mascarene Islands, producing heavy rainfall and gusty winds.

The 1999–2000 South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone season was the first on record in which two storms – Leon–Eline and Hudah – struck Mozambique at tropical cyclone intensity, or with maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). The most notable storm of the season was Eline, which was the third longest-lasting storm on record in the basin. It lasted for 29 days while traversing the southern Indian Ocean, making the strongest landfall in decades along eastern Madagascar in late February. The storm was the first in a series of three storms that struck the country in early 2000, along with Gloria in March and Hudah in April. Collectively, the three storms killed at least 316 people. The season started on November 1, 1999, and ended for most of the basin on April 30, 2000; for Mauritius and the Seychelles, the season continued until May 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the basin.

The 2005–06 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was the fifth least-active on record. The Météo-France office on the island of Réunion tracked 13 tropical disturbances, of which six intensified into a moderate tropical storm. Three of these systems proceeded to attain tropical cyclone status – reaching 10 minute maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center also tracked eight storms in the basin. Activity was below normal due to a powerful Walker circulation, which increased convection over the neighboring Australian basin, but suppressed activity in the western Indian Ocean. As a result, most of the storms developed near or entered from the Australian basin, crossing 90°E to enter the South-West Indian Ocean.

The 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was one of the longest lasting and the third-most active season in the South-West Indian Ocean. Storms during the season impacted the Mascarene Islands, Seychelles, Madagascar, and countries in south-eastern Africa. The season began early when an unnamed tropical storm struck Seychelles in September, becoming the most damaging storm there in 50 years. The next system, Atang, was the first named storm of the season, but was only a tropical depression; it was named due to the threat to an outer island of Mauritius. Atang later struck Tanzania in a climatologically unusual area in November, resulting in unconfirmed deaths of fishermen. The first named storm to reach tropical storm intensity was Boura, which brushed the Mascarene Islands with gusty winds and rainfall. In December, Cyclone Crystal threatened to strike Mauritius but instead veered eastward, and later, Tropical Storm Delfina lasted from late December through early January 2003. Delfina damaged or destroyed thousands of houses in Mozambique and Malawi, killing 54 people.

Tropical Cyclone Elita was an unusual tropical cyclone that made landfall on Madagascar three times. The fifth named storm of the 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Elita developed in the Mozambique Channel on January 24, 2004. It strengthened to tropical cyclone status before striking northwestern Madagascar on January 28; it was the first storm to strike western Madagascar at that intensity since Cyclone Cynthia in 1991. Elita weakened to tropical depression status while crossing the island, and after exiting into the southwest Indian Ocean, it turned to the west and moved ashore in eastern Madagascar on January 31. After once again crossing the island, the cyclone reached the Mozambique Channel and re-intensified. Elita turned to the southeast to make its final landfall on February 3 along southwestern Madagascar. Two days later, it underwent an extratropical transition; subsequently, the remnant system moved erratically before dissipating on February 13.

The 1990–91 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was fairly quiet, although activity began early and the final named storm formed at a record late date. There were seven named storms classified by the Météo-France office (MFR) on Réunion, as well as three depressions; an additional depression was classified by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), an unofficial warning agency. The JTWC tracked storms in both September and October, although neither affected land. In late November, another short-lived depression formed in the northeastern portion of the basin. Activity remained minimal until January, when Tropical Storm Alison formed in the eastern portion of the basin. Later in the month, Cyclone Bella became the strongest storm of the season, reaching 10‑minute maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (96 mph). It passed near the island of Rodrigues, becoming the worst cyclone there in 20 years and killing half of the population of one endangered species. Bella also likely caused a cargo ship to go missing with 36 people on board. Three storms developed in short succession in the second half of February. Cyclone Cynthia developed rapidly in the Mozambique Channel on February 16 and struck western Madagascar, killing 36 people and ruining local rice harvests. A residual trough after Cynthia dissipated spawned Tropical Storm Debra, which looped in the Mozambique Channel. Toward the end of the month, Tropical Storm Elma exited the basin into the adjacent Australian region, only to re-enter the south-west Indian Ocean and dissipate. Long-lived Cyclone Fatima originated in the Australian basin in late March and changed directions before becoming extratropical. On April 2, a tropical depression struck eastern Madagascar, killing 18 people. The final storm, Gritelle, was named on June 10, the latest on record.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Geralda was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused catastrophic damage in Madagascar in late January 1994, among the strongest to hit the country. It was also the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 1994. Cyclone Geralda originated from an area of low pressure over the Indian Ocean on 25 January. Over the following few days, the depression underwent gradual intensification, reaching its peak intensity with ten-minute sustained winds of 200 km/h (120 mph) on 31 January. It eventually made landfall near Toamasina, Madagascar after weakening from its peak intensity, and substantially weakened within hours of moving onshore. By 5 February, Geralda had degenerated into a land depression, and became extratropical three days later. Geralda's remnants dissipated on 12 February.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Funso was a powerful tropical cyclone which produced flooding in Mozambique and Malawi in January 2012. It was the eighth tropical cyclone, the sixth named storm and the second tropical cyclone to form during the 2011–12 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. Funso was also the first intense tropical cyclone since Gelane in 2010 and the first storm to affect Mozambique since Jokwe in 2008.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Nadia was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck both Madagascar and Mozambique in March 1994. It formed on 16 March and moved westward for the first ten days of its duration. Warm waters and low wind shear allowed for the storm to gradually strengthen. After developing a well-defined eye, Nadia intensified to reach winds of 175 km/h early on 22 March, according to Météo-France (MF). In contrast, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated winds of about 220 km/h. On 23 March, the cyclone struck northern Madagascar, causing flooding and localized damage where it moved ashore. There were 12 deaths in the country. Nadia emerged into the Mozambique Channel as a weakened storm, although it reintensified slightly before making landfall in northeastern Mozambique on 24 March. The storm turned southward through the country, emerging over water on 26 March. It turned to the northeast and meandered over waters before dissipating on 1 April.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Japhet was a damaging tropical cyclone that affected southeast Africa in March 2003. It developed on February 25 near the southwest coast of Madagascar, and initially moved to the northwest before turning to the southwest. With favorable conditions for development, Japhet quickly intensified in the Mozambique Channel, reaching maximum winds of 175 km/h (109 mph), sustained over 10 minutes. After stalling briefly, the cyclone turned to the northwest, weakening slightly before striking Mozambique just south of Vilankulo on March 2. Japhet slowly weakened while progressing inland, dissipating over Zambia on March 6.

Tropical Cyclone Filao was a moderately intense tropical cyclone that caused widespread flooding in Mozambique in 1988. First classified as a tropical depression north of Madagascar, the system moved southwest, crossing the northern part of the nation before entering the Mozambique Channel on 27 February, where it began to deepen. Later that day, the depression was upgraded into a moderate tropical storm. Two days later, Filao attained severe tropical storm intensity as it began to stall. On 1 March, the storm reached cyclone intensity just before turning west. Later that day, Filao attained peak intensity, with winds of 135 km/h (85 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 954 mbar (hPa); 28.17 inHg. Within 24 hours, however, the system moved ashore near Quelimane in Central Mozambique, and several hours later, Filao dissipated inland.

Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Hudah was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that affected Southeast Africa in April 2000. It was the last in a series of three cyclones that impacted Madagascar during the year. Hudah first developed as a disturbance embedded within the monsoon trough on 22 March, within the Australian region cyclone basin. Moving westward as the result of a strong subtropical ridge to its south, the storm quickly intensified, and reached Category 2 cyclone intensity on 25 March before entering the Southwest Indian cyclone basin. For various reasons that remain unknown, the cyclone was only designated a name by the time it had crossed into the area of responsibility of the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in Réunion. Nonetheless, Météo-France (MFR) assigned the name Hudah to the cyclone. An eye formed, and the storm intensified into a tropical cyclone on 27 March well to the southeast of Diego Garcia. On 1 April, the MFR upgraded it to a very intense tropical cyclone, estimating peak 10-minute winds of 225 km/h (140 mph). By contrast, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) estimated 1-minute winds of 235 km/h (146 mph). At this time, the MFR estimated the pressure to have been 905 hPa (mbar), making Hudah the most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2000. Cyclone Hudah maintained peak winds until making landfall just southeast of Antalaha, Madagascar on 2 April. It weakened greatly over land, but re-attained tropical cyclone status on 5 April after moving over the Mozambique Channel. Hudah reached 10-minute winds of 160 km/h (99 mph) by the time it made landfall on Mozambique near Pebane, Mozambique, on 8 April, and dissipated by the next day.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Kamisy was considered the worst tropical cyclone to affect northern Madagascar since 1911. A tropical disturbance formed near Diego Garcia on 3 April 1984 and subsequently moved westward, intensifying into a moderate tropical storm two days later. Given the name Kamisy, the storm gradually intensified into an intense tropical cyclone by 9 April. Kamisy reached winds of 170 km/h (105 mph) before making landfall in extreme northern Madagascar near Diego Suarez. It weakened upon entering the Mozambique Channel, but briefly re-intensified on 10 April. That day while passing near Mayotte, the cyclone turned to the southeast, striking Madagascar again near Majunga. Kamisy quickly crossed the country. After emerging into the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Madagascar, the system reintensified into a moderate tropical storm before dissipating on 16 April.

Tropical Cyclone Gretelle was a deadly storm that struck southeastern Madagascar in January 1997. The seventh named storm of the 1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Gretelle developed within the Intertropical Convergence Zone on 19 January, and gradually intensified while moving southwestward. On 22 January, the storm intensified to tropical cyclone status while passing northwest of Réunion; there, Gretelle produced strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall in mountainous regions. Subsequently, the cyclone strengthened to reach peak 10-minute sustained winds of 140 km/h (85 mph). On 24 January, Gretelle made landfall near Farafangana, the first in the region in 41 years. The cyclone weakened while crossing Madagascar, but restrengthened slightly in the Mozambique Channel. Gretelle meandered off the coast of Mozambique, bringing gusty winds that downed trees, but caused little damage in the country. An approaching trough turned the cyclone to the southeast, and Gretelle dissipated on 31 January to the south-southwest of Madagascar.

Tropical Cyclone Honorinina was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck eastern Madagascar in March 1986. The eighth named storm of the season, Honorinina formed on 9 March to the south of Diego Garcia. It moved generally to the west-southwest due to a ridge to the south, gradually intensifying. On 12 March, the Météo France office in Réunion (MFR) upgraded Honorinina to tropical cyclone status, which is the equivalent of a minimal hurricane. On the next day, the cyclone attained maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h (93 mph) while in the vicinity of Tromelin Island. Honorinina weakened subsequently before making landfall about 40 km (25 mi) north of Toamasina, Madagascar with winds of 135 km/h (84 mph). The storm weakened further over land, moving southwestward across the country. It emerged into the Mozambique Channel and became extratropical on 18 March. Honorinina then turned to the southeast, dissipating on 23 March.

At least 30 tropical cyclones have affected the Southern African mainland. Three southeastern African countries border the Indian Ocean – Tanzania, Mozambique, and South Africa. Other inland countries also experience the effects of tropical cyclones, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

During 1994, tropical cyclones formed within seven different tropical cyclone basins, located within various parts of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. During the year, a total of 124 systems formed with 91 of these developing further and were named by the responsible warning centre. The strongest tropical cyclone of the year was Cyclone Geralda, which was estimated to have a minimum barometric pressure of 905 hPa (26.72 inHg). The deadliest tropical cyclone was Typhoon Fred, which caused 1,248 fatalities in China, while the costliest was Tropical Storm Sharon, which caused an estimated $5.27 billion USD in damage after striking Hong Kong, China and the Philippines. Five Category 5 tropical cyclones formed in 1994.

Severe Tropical Storm Chalane was the first of three consecutive tropical cyclones that struck Mozambique in the 2020-21 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. As the fourth tropical depression, third named storm, and second severe tropical storm of the season, Chalane developed out of a zone of disturbed weather which was first monitored RSMC La Réunion on 19 December. Despite conditions slowly becoming unfavorable, the system formed into a tropical depression on 23 December due to the presence of a Kelvin wave and an equatorial Rossby wave, as well as warm sea surface temperatures. The depression soon strengthened into Tropical Storm Chalane on the following day. Chalane made landfall on Madagascar on 26 December and weakened, before emerging into the Mozambique Channel a couple days later. Subsequently, Chalane restrengthened, before making landfall on Mozambique on 30 December. The system weakened as it moved inland, degenerating into a remnant low later that day. However, Chalane's remnants continued moving westward for another several days, emerging into the South Atlantic on 3 January, before dissipating later that day.

Moderate Tropical Storm Dumako was a weak tropical cyclone that caused moderate damage in Madagascar. The fourth disturbance and fourth named storm of the 2021–22 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, it was the third storm to make landfall on Madagascar in 2022 after Ana and Batsirai.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Gombe was a strong tropical cyclone that affected Mozambique. It became the first storm to make a major landfall in Nampula Province in Mozambique since Cyclone Jokwe in 2008. The eighth tropical storm, fourth tropical cyclone and fourth intense tropical cyclone of the 2021–22 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Gombe originated from a tropical disturbance located off the coast of Madagascar. This area of convection was designated by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center as Invest 97S on 6 March. The next day, it began to slowly move westward and executed a loop as it became more organized, which prompted Météo-France Reunion (MFR) to note the system as Zone of Disturbed Weather 09. The system became a depression on 9 March, and became a moderate tropical storm the same day. Soon after being named, Gombe made landfall in Madagascar, and entered in the Mozambique Channel the next day. The storm continued its westward motion while slowly intensifying, and was upgraded to a Tropical Cyclone by the MFR on 10 March. Closing in on Nampula Province, the storm underwent rapid intensification, and was upgraded to the fourth Intense Tropical Cyclone of the year and reached its peak intensity on 11 march, with maximum 10-minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph), maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), and a minimum central pressure of 960 hectopascals (28 inHg). The storm proceeded to make landfall, and quickly lost its convection over land. On 12 March, Gombe degenerated into a remnant low overland. However, the system subsequently turned southeastward and reemerged over water, before briefly regenerating into a tropical depression on 17 March. Gombe dissipated later that day.

References

General

Le Goff, Guy; et al. (1996). "1995–1996 Cyclone Season in the South-West Indian Ocean" (in English and French). Météo-France. Retrieved 30 November 2013.

Specific

1 2 3 Le Goff, et al., p. 24
1 2 3 4 Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "06S (Cyclone Bonita) Best Track". Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Donnees De Bonita" (in French). Météo-France. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
1 2 3 4 5 Le Goff, et al., p. 25
↑ Le Goff, et al., pp. 25–26
1 2 3 Le Goff, et al., p. 26
↑ Le Goff, et al., p. 28
1 2 Mudenda, O. S.; Mumba, Z. L. S. "The Unusual Tropical Storm of January 1996". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.601.2986 .
1 2 3 4 Le Goff, et al., p. 27
↑ "Four dead, thousands homeless after cyclone hits Madagascar". Agence France Presse. 22 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
1 2 3 United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (6 March 1996). "Madagascar Cyclone Bonita Situation Report No.1". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
1 2 Brakenridge, G. R.; et al. "Global Flood Reports, 1996". Dartmouth College. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
↑ United Nations Secretary-General (3 November 1997). "Measures taken following the cyclones and floods that have affected Madagascar" (PDF). United Nations General Assembly. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2013.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
1 2 3 Bureau for Humanitarian Response/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (August 1996). "Madagascar: Disaster Preparedness Assessment Mission" (PDF). United States Agency for International Development. p. 4. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
↑ "International news: Maputo, Mozambique". Associated Press International. Associated Press. 18 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
↑ Newman, Steve (27 January 1996). "Earthweek: Diary of the planet For the week ending 26 January 1996". Toronto Star. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
↑ "Mark falls on German rate cut". Agence France Presse. 31 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)
↑ "International news: Harare, Zimbabwe". Associated Press International. Associated Press. 17 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)

External links

Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) Archived 9 August 2015 at the Wayback Machine
Météo France (RSMC La Réunion)
World Meteorological Organization

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[mf24-1] 1 2 3 Le Goff, et al., p. 24

[jtwc-2] 1 2 3 4 Joint Typhoon Warning Center. "06S (Cyclone Bonita) Best Track". Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. Retrieved 30 November 2013.

[bt-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Donnees De Bonita" (in French). Météo-France. Retrieved 4 October 2011.

[mf25-4] 1 2 3 4 5 Le Goff, et al., p. 25

[mf25-26-5] Le Goff, et al., pp. 25–26

[mf26-6] 1 2 3 Le Goff, et al., p. 26

[mf28-7] Le Goff, et al., p. 28

[zmd-8] 1 2 Mudenda, O. S.; Mumba, Z. L. S. "The Unusual Tropical Storm of January 1996". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.601.2986 .

[mf27-9] 1 2 3 4 Le Goff, et al., p. 27

[10] "Four dead, thousands homeless after cyclone hits Madagascar". Agence France Presse. 22 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)

[rw-11] 1 2 3 United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (6 March 1996). "Madagascar Cyclone Bonita Situation Report No.1". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2 December 2013.

[dartmouth-12] 1 2 Brakenridge, G. R.; et al. "Global Flood Reports, 1996". Dartmouth College. Retrieved 2 December 2013.

[un-13] United Nations Secretary-General (3 November 1997). "Measures taken following the cyclones and floods that have affected Madagascar" (PDF). United Nations General Assembly. p. 2. Retrieved 2 December 2013.^{[ permanent dead link ]}

[usaid-14] 1 2 3 Bureau for Humanitarian Response/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (August 1996). "Madagascar: Disaster Preparedness Assessment Mission" (PDF). United States Agency for International Development. p. 4. Retrieved 2 December 2013.

[15] "International news: Maputo, Mozambique". Associated Press International. Associated Press. 18 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)

[16] Newman, Steve (27 January 1996). "Earthweek: Diary of the planet For the week ending 26 January 1996". Toronto Star. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)

[17] "Mark falls on German rate cut". Agence France Presse. 31 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)

[18] "International news: Harare, Zimbabwe". Associated Press International. Associated Press. 17 January 1996. – via LexisNexis (subscription required)

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