 Belna strengthening over Seychelles on 7 December | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 5 December 2019 |
| Remnant low | 10 December 2019 |
| Dissipated | 11 December 2019 |
| Tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (MF) | |
| Highest winds | 155 km/h (100 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 220 km/h (140 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 965 hPa (mbar); 28.50 inHg |
| Category 3-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 962 hPa (mbar); 28.41 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 2 total |
| Damage | >$25 million (2019 USD) |
| Areas affected | Seychelles, Mayotte, Comoros, Madagascar |
| IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2019–20 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Tropical Cyclone Belna was a strong tropical cyclone that made landfall over northwestern Madagascar in December 2019, becoming the first to do so since Hellen in 2014. Belna's precursor—an initially broad trough of low pressure west of Seychelles—was formally designated as a zone of disturbed weather on 2 December during a favourable period for tropical cyclogenesis in the Indian Ocean. The disturbance gradually developed over the course of several days, tracking slowly westward. Météo-France (MFR) upgraded the system to a tropical depression on 5 December and then to a tropical storm later that day. Belna reached tropical cyclone strength on 7 December as it began to turn towards the southwest, peaking with maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h (95 mph) before fluctuating in intensity over the following day as it passed just east of Mayotte. On 9 December, Belna restrengthened and reattained its peak winds upon making landfall near Soalala along the northwestern coast of Madagascar. The cyclone weakened before ultimately dissipating over southern Madagascar on 11 December.
In the French overseas department of Mayotte, up to 15,000 people relocated to shelters in advance of the storm. Several of the department's services, including the main airport and ferries, were suspended. The cyclone ultimately passed 100 km (62 mi) east of Mayotte with only minor impacts. Northern Madagascar was impacted by heavy rains from Belna. Soalala and Antsiranana experienced extensive flooding. Strong winds in Soalala damaged the roofs of 80% of homes and government offices. In total, there were nine fatalities and over 2,000 injuries associated with Belna. Damage in Madagascar is estimated at US$25 million.[2]
- ^ "BELNA : 2019-12-02 TO 2019-12-11". Météo-France La Réunion. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "2019 Whole Year Catastrophe Recap" (PDF). AON Thought Leadership. 22 January 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 January 2020.