1961–62 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1961–62 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a busy cyclone season, lasting from December to April.

1961–62 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	December 19, 1961
Last system dissipated	April 11, 1962
Strongest storm
Name	Daisy & Maud
• Maximum winds	140 km/h (85 mph) (1-minute sustained)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions	13
Tropical cyclones	5
Total fatalities	51
Total damage	Unknown
Related articles
1961–62 Australian region cyclone season 1961–62 South Pacific cyclone season

Systems

Tropical Storm Ada

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	December 19 – December 24
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min);

Ada lasted for 5 days and made landfall in Madagascar. Its peak intensity was 40 mph, or 65 km/h, in 1-minute maximum sustained winds.

Cyclone Beryl

Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	December 20 – December 28
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min); 992 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Chantal

Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	December 30, 1961 – January 7, 1962
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min);

Cyclone Daisy

Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	January 15 – January 22
Peak intensity	140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min);

Tropical Storm Flora

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	January 21 – January 24
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min);

Tropical Storm Gina

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 8 – February 18
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min);

The storm struck Madagascar and moved across the island, later crossing the Mozambique Channel and striking eastern Mozambique. The storm recurved to the east, passing south of Madagascar.

Tropical Depression Helene

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Duration	February 16 – February 19
Peak intensity	55 km/h (35 mph) (1-min);

Tropical Storm Isabel

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	February 21 – February 24
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min);

Existed southeast of Madagascar.

Cyclone Jenny

Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	February 26 – March 5
Peak intensity	130 km/h (80 mph) (1-min); 995 hPa (mbar)

On February 26, Cyclone Jenny was first observed to the northeast of Rodrigues. The storm moved west-southwestward between Rodrigues and St. Brandon. On February 28, Jenny passed about 30 km (20 mi) north of Mauritius, where the storm produced wind gusts of 235 km/h (146 mph). On the island, the storm killed 17 people and left thousands of people homeless. Later on February 28, the storm struck Réunion, killing 36 people; wind gusts at the Roland Garros Airport reached 250 km/h (160 mph). Jenny destroyed 3,851 homes on Réunion and severely damaged another 2,619, many of them wooden, leaving about 20,000 people homeless. The storm also destroyed crops, and wrecked about 80% of the island's telephone lines. After the close succession of Carol and Jenny, officials rebuilt most homes with concrete to withstand future storms.

Tropical Storm Kate

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Duration	March 9 – March 15
Peak intensity	65 km/h (40 mph) (1-min);

Struck eastern Madagascar.

Tropical Storm Lucy

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

Passed near St. Brandon.

Cyclone Maud

Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
Duration	March 30 – April 11
Peak intensity	140 km/h (85 mph) (1-min);

Existed south of Diego Garcia and executed a loop at the end of its track.

Other storms

A tropical depression briefly existed in the northeast portion of the basin from January 19–21. At the time, it was part of the neighboring Australian basin, east of 80°. On January 22, a system named Emily existed briefly west of that general region.

See also

• Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1961, 1962
• Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1961, 1962
• Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1961, 1962
• North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1961, 1962