1971–72 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1971–72 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average cyclone season. The season officially ran from November 1, 1971, to April 30, 1972.

1971–72 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	9 July 1971
Last system dissipated	11 March 1972
Strongest storm
Name	Fabienne
• Maximum winds	215 km/h (130 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	967 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions	9
Total storms	9
Tropical cyclones	4
Intense tropical cyclones	1
Total fatalities	7
Total damage	Unknown
Related articles
1971–72 Australian region cyclone season 1971–72 South Pacific cyclone season
South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone seasons 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74

Systems

Moderate Tropical Storm Odette

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	July 9 – July 16
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min);

Odette existed from July 9 to July 16.

Severe Tropical Storm Agnes

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	December 9 – December 24
Peak intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min);

Agnes existed from December 9 to December 24. Rainbands from Agnes affected Réunion while the storm passed to the north.^[1]

Moderate Tropical Storm Belle

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 1 – January 5
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min);

Belle existed from January 1 to January 5.

Moderate Tropical Storm Caroline

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 3 – February 14
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min);

Caroline existed from February 3 to February 14.

Moderate Tropical Storm Dolly

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 4 – February 9
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (10-min);

Dolly existed from February 4 to February 9. On February 7, Dolly brushed the southwest coast of Réunion, bringing days of heavy rainfall that reached 774 mm (30.5 in) at Piton Tortue. The rains damaged crops and flooded coastal roads. Dolly killed five people on the island.^[2]

Tropical Cyclone Eugenie

Tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	February 10 – February 21
Peak intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min);

Rainfall from the storm spread from Swaziland to Durban in South Africa, reaching over 350 mm (14 in) near the coast. The rains caused widespread river flooding.^[3]

Intense Tropical Cyclone Fabienne

Intense tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	February 11 – February 25
Peak intensity	215 km/h (130 mph) (10-min); 967 hPa (mbar)

Fabienne existed from February 11 to February 25. On February 18, Fabienne passed just west of Rodrigues, producing wind gusts of 254 km/h (158 mph). The storm caused two fatalities on the island, as well as 16 injuries.^[4][5][6]

Tropical Cyclone Tessie–Gigi

Tropical cyclone (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 27 (Entered basin) – February 28
Peak intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min);

This system entered the basin on February 27 and became extratropical by February 28.

Tropical Cyclone Hermione

Tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	March 1 – March 11
Peak intensity	120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min);

Hermione existed from March 1 to March 11. On March 5, Hermione passed north of the Mascarene Islands, producing heavy rainfall on Réunion that reached 757.5 mm (29.82 in) at Foc Foc.^[7]

See also

• Tropical cyclones portal

• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1971, 1972
• Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1971, 1972
• Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1971, 1972
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1971, 1972