 Kalunde at peak intensity on March 8 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | March 3, 2003 |
| Extratropical | March 14 |
| Dissipated | March 17, 2003 |
| Intense tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (MFR) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 910 hPa (mbar); 26.87 inHg |
| Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 260 km/h (160 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 305 km/h (190 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 910 hPa (mbar); 26.87 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | $3.15 million (2003 USD) |
| Areas affected | Rodrigues |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Intense Tropical Cyclone Kalunde was the strongest storm of the 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. The eleventh named storm and sixth cyclone of the season, Kalunde formed on March 4 from an area of disturbed weather east-southeast of Diego Garcia. The storm steadily strengthened and attained severe tropical storm intensity on March 6. After starting a phase of rapid deepening, Kalunde attained cyclone intensity the next day. Kalunde attained its peak intensity on March 8, as an intense tropical cyclone. It maintained its peak strength for a day; shortly thereafter, the system began to weaken. After undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle, the storm brushed Rodrigues. Shortly after doing so, Kalunde weakened into a tropical cyclone and later a severe tropical storm. Two days later, on March 16, the cyclone transitioned into an extratropical cyclone and dissipated the next day.
Cyclone Kalunde brought US$3.15 million in damage to Rodrigues Island. A total of 1,600 homes and 40 boats were damaged. Severe coastal damage took place across the island; many roads were washed out. Power outages also occurred across the island, delaying residents access to information pertaining to Kalunde. About 80 percent of the drinking water was contaminated and the entire food crop was destroyed. However, no deaths were reported.