1972–73 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1972–73 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an above-average cyclone season. The season officially ran from November 1, 1972, to April 30, 1973.

1972–73 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	26 November 1972
Last system dissipated	3 May 1973
Strongest storm
Name	Lydie
• Maximum winds	220 km/h (140 mph) (10-minute sustained)
• Lowest pressure	910 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total disturbances	13
Total depressions	12
Total storms	11
Tropical cyclones	4
Intense tropical cyclones	2
Very intense tropical cyclones	1
Total fatalities	11
Total damage	Unknown
Related articles
1972–73 Australian region cyclone season 1972–73 South Pacific cyclone season
South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone seasons 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75

Systems

Severe Tropical Storm Ariane

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	November 26 – December 5
Peak intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min);

Ariana passed north of Mauritius and later executed a loop southeast of the island. The storm brought heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 92 km/h (57 mph).^[1]

Severe Tropical Storm Ivy–Beatrice

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	December 9 (Crossed 80°E) – December 25
Peak intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min); ≤988 hPa (mbar)

Moderate Tropical Storm Charlotte

Moderate tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 3 – January 12
Peak intensity	75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min);

Charlotte passed just southwest of Réunion on January 8, producing 102 km/h (63 mph) wind gusts, as well as heavy rainfall reaching 813 mm (32.0 in) at Riviere de L'Est. The rains damaged crops and flooded roads, which killed one person due to drowning.^[2]

Moderate Tropical Storm Dorothee

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

Dorothee produced a series of thunderstorms on Réunion while the storm passed to the southwest.^[3]

Tropical Disturbance Emmanuelle

Tropical disturbance (MFR)
Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration	January 17 – January 20
Peak intensity	45 km/h (30 mph) (10-min);

Moderate Tropical Storm Faustine

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 17 – January 22
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min);

Intense Tropical Cyclone Leila–Gertrude

Intense tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	January 24 (Crossed 80°E) – February 3
Peak intensity	175 km/h (110 mph) (10-min);

Cyclone Gertrude brushed eastern Rodrigues on January 31, producing 169 km/h (105 mph), as well as 296.4 mm (11.67 in) of rainfall.^[4]

Severe Tropical Storm Hortense

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	January 24 – February 2
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);

On February 2, Hortense passed south of Réunion, bringing rainfall to the island.^[5]

Tropical Cyclone Jessy

Tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	February 14 – February 26
Peak intensity	155 km/h (100 mph) (10-min);

On February 21, Jessy struck Rodrigues, bringing heavy rainfall and 221 km/h (137 mph) wind gusts, causing power outages.^[6][7]

Severe Tropical Storm Isis

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 15 – February 19
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);

Severe Tropical Storm Kitty

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	February 27 – March 5
Peak intensity	110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min);

On March 1, Kitty struck Rodrigues, causing power outages.^[8][7]

Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Lydie

Very intense tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 4 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	March 5 – March 16
Peak intensity	220 km/h (140 mph) (10-min); 910 hPa (mbar)

This is the first "Very intense tropical cyclone" in the South-West Indian Ocean.

On March 10, Lydie passed west of Réunion, producing wind gusts of 162 km/h (101 mph) in the mountainous peaks. For four days, the storm dropped heavy rainfall on the island, reaching 655 mm (25.8 in). Flooding killed 10 people on the island, and caused crop damage.^[9][10]

Severe Tropical Storm Roma

Severe tropical storm (MFR)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	April 18 – April 23
Peak intensity	100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min); 982 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Roma existed from April 18 to April 23.

Tropical Cyclone Marcelle

Tropical cyclone (MFR)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	May 1 (Crossed 80°E) – May 3 (Crossed 90°E)
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min); 972 hPa (mbar)

See also

• Tropical cyclones portal

• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1972, 1973
• Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1972, 1973
• Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1972, 1973
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1972, 1973