1981–82 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
| 1981–82 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map | |
| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | 18 October 1981 |
| Last system dissipated | 4 May 1982 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Chris-Damia |
| • Maximum winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) (10-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 898 hPa (mbar) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 14 |
| Total storms | 10 |
| Tropical cyclones | 5 |
| Intense tropical cyclones | 2 |
| Total fatalities | 100 |
| Total damage | $250 million (1982 USD) |
| Related articles | |
The 1981–82 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a destructive and deadly cyclone season that occurred in Madagascar, where four cyclones killed 100 people and caused $250 million (USD) in damage. The season was fairly active, lasting from October to May. There were nine named storms that attained gale-force winds, or at least 65 km/h (40 mph). Five of the storms attained tropical cyclone status, which have 10-minute sustained winds of at least 120 km/h (75 mph).
The first storm was Tropical Cyclone Alex, which was named by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM). this was due to the boundary of the basin at the time, which incorporated the Indian Ocean south of the equator and extended from the east coast of Africa to 80° E; the eastern extent was later moved to 90° E. Two other storms – Armelle and Damia – also originated in the Australian basin. The latter was the strongest cyclone on record in the basin at the time by barometric pressure, estimated at 898 mbar (26.52 inHg). The first storm to affect Madagascar was Benedicte in December, and was followed by tropical storms Frida and Electre in February and Justine in March. The final storm of the season was Cyclone Karla, which remained in the eastern periphery of the basin while reaching winds of 170 km/h (105 mph).