Are Tropical Cyclones Frequent Visitors To Mauritius?
Tropical Cyclones have always been a problem for the people of Mauritius during the months of November to May. In order for you to make sure your holiday is not ruined by a cyclone during this time, you should get travel insurance.
Do you realise that 14% of the total number of tropical cyclones in the world occur in the south-western Indian Ocean during the summer months?
Historical Tropical Cyclone Information for Mauritius from 1960-1981
| Year |
Date of occurrence |
Name of cyclone |
Rainfall |
Facts |
| Millimetres |
(Inches) |
|
1960
|
18th January
|
Alix
|
Not known
|
Not known
|
This was the first tropical cyclone to directly affect Mauritius in 1960. The centre (also known as the eye) passed within 30km of the west coast of Mauritius. The township of Pamplemousses recorded sustained winds above 64km/hr for thirteen hours and this caused major damage to both crops and housing.
|
|
1960
|
28th February
|
Carol
|
686
|
27
|
There was no place on Mauritius that could escape from Carol's fury since the eye of Carol covered the whole of Mauritius. The eye of Carol was about 35 miles (56 km) across and moved from north to south at 9 mph (15km/hr). Wind gusts exceeded 150mph (240km/hr) and the barometric pressure dropped to 942 millibars (mb). Massive flooding occurred.
|
|
1964
|
17th - 20th January
|
Danielle
|
470
|
18.5
|
Cyclone Danielle intensified rapidly as it moved slowly southwards on the 18th and 19th January. The lowest recorded central pressure was 975mb and at the time, wind gusts reached 220km/hr.
|
|
1966
|
5th - 7th January
|
Denise
|
240
|
9.5
|
Three people died due to the flash floods
|
|
1967
|
11th - 14th January
|
Gilberte
|
220
|
8.7
|
Extensive flooding
|
|
1970
|
23rd - 24th January
|
Hermine
|
130
|
5.1
|
Wind damage to sugar cane crops
|
|
1971
|
4th - 8th February
|
Helga
|
220
|
8.7
|
Extensive flooding
|
|
1972
|
6th - 8th February
|
Dolly
|
170
|
6.7
|
Caused moderate damage to shipping
|
|
1973
|
6th - 8th February
|
Lydie
|
200
|
7.8
|
Extensive flooding and damage to crops
|
|
1975
|
5th - 7th February
|
Gervaise
|
310
|
12.2
|
Massive flooding causing extensive damage to crops and housing. Nine fatalities.
|
|
1978
|
18th - 21st February
|
Fleur
|
120
|
4.7
|
None
|
|
1979
|
18th - 21st February
|
Claudette
|
190
|
7.5
|
None
|
|
1980
|
15th - 27th January
|
Hyacinthe
|
910
|
35.8
|
It reached its lowest central pressure (985mb) on the 27th January and then quickly moved poleward after this date. The maximum gusts reached only 126km/hr. Twenty five people died in the flooding as a result of Cyclone Hyacinthe.
|
|
1981
|
1st - 6th March
|
Johanne
|
160
|
6.3
|
Similar strength to TC Hyacinthe but it did not produce nearly as much rain.
|
Return from Tropical Cyclones in Mauritius to main weather in Mauritius page.
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