Intense Tropical Cyclone Felleng was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused destruction across Seychelles, Madagascar, and Réunion. The seventh Tropical Disturbance, sixth named storm, and the third Intense Tropical Cyclone of the 2012–13 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Felleng originated from an area of atmospheric convection embedded in the Intertropical Convergence Zone.
In total, Felleng caused 18 fatalities and above US$10 million in damages.
Meteorological history
After the Madden–Julian oscillation left its suppressive phase in the South-West Indian Ocean, a low-pressure area embedded in the Intertropical Convergence Zone was noted by Météo-France La Réunion (MFR) on 24 January.
Convection was mainly active in the northeast portion of the system, with winds reaching in some places.
The system's low-level circulation was poorly defined by 25 January,
with the system as a whole being negatively affected by
wind shear.
[ At 18:00 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), MFR upgraded the system to Tropical Disturbance 7,][ Weakening wind shear allowed convection to further organize;][ By 12:00 UTC, the JTWC upgraded 7 to a tropical storm.][ The system's structure improved from its previous sheared pattern,][ and by 28 January, the MFR upgraded the system to a moderate tropical storm, assigning it the name Felleng.][
]
Felleng improved over the next few hours, consolidating its low-level circulation
Impact
Seychelles
Damages from Felleng reached US$8.4 million in the country.
Madagascar
Cyclone Felleng brought heavy rain to Madagascar, due to which floodwaters rose rapidly in the capital Antananarivo, flooding many low-lying homes, as well as several hundred hectares of rice fields. Government authorities confirmed at least 800 people have been affected by the floods in the capital.[ Madagascar – Felleng fait six morts et trois disparus (Lexpress.mu)] Across the island, 9 people were killed and 1,303 were left homeless. A total of 162 homes were destroyed while another 1,803 were damaged by floodwaters, most of which were in Vatovavy-Fitovinany.
Réunion
Cyclone Felleng's heavy rain and strong winds caused damage in Réunion Island, where 11,200 homes were left without power.
See also
