1989–90 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1989–90 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an average cyclone season, with nine named storms and five tropical cyclones – a storm attaining maximum sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph). The season officially ran from November 1, 1989, to April 30, 1990. Storms were officially tracked by the Météo-France office (MFR) on Réunion while the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) in an unofficial basis. The first storm, Cyclone Alibera, was the second longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record in the basin, with a duration of 22 days. Alibera meandered and changed directions several times before striking southeastern Madagascar on January 1, 1989, where it was considered the worst storm since 1925. The cyclone killed 46 people and left widespread damage. Only the final storm of the year – Severe Tropical Storm Ikonjo – also had significant impact on land, when it left $1.5 million in damage (1990 USD) in the Seychelles.

Of the remaining storms, several passed near the Mascarene Islands but did not cause much impact. In early February, Severe Tropical Storm Cezera and Tropical Cyclone Dety were active at the same time and interacted with each other through the process of the Fujiwhara effect. Cyclone Gregoara was the strongest of the season, which originated as Cyclone Walter from the adjacent Australian basin. Gregoara attained peak winds of 170 km/h (110 mph) over the open waters of the Indian Ocean in March, although the JTWC considered Alibera to be stronger. In April, Moderate Tropical Storm Hanta approached the northwest coast of Madagascar, but dissipated over the Mozambique Channel.