View source for Cyclone Elita

{{Short description|South-West Indian Ocean cyclone in 2004}}
{{Distinguish|Cyclone Elida|Cyclone Elinah}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Tropical Cyclone Elita
| image = Tropical Cyclone Elita 2004.jpg
| caption = Cyclone Elita on January 28
| alt = View of Cyclone Elita from Space on January 28, 2004. The eye of the storm, visible near the center of the image, is making landfall on Madagascar.
| formed = {{start-date|January 26, 2004}}
| extratropical = February 5
| dissipated = {{end-date|February 13, 2004}}
}}{{Infobox weather event/MFR
| winds = 65
| gusts = 95
| pressure = 970
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 65
| pressure = 976
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2004
| fatalities = 33 direct
| damage = 
| areas = [[Madagascar]], [[Mozambique]], [[Malawi]], [[Seychelles]], [[Mauritius]], [[Réunion]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
}}
'''Tropical Cyclone Elita''' was an unusual [[tropical cyclone]] that made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] on [[Madagascar]] three times. The fifth named storm of the [[2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season]], Elita developed in the [[Mozambique Channel]] on January 24, 2004. It strengthened to [[tropical cyclone scales|tropical cyclone]] status before striking northwestern Madagascar on January 28; it was the first storm to strike western Madagascar at that intensity since [[1990–91 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season#Tropical Cyclone Cynthia|Cyclone Cynthia]] in 1991. Elita weakened to tropical depression status while crossing the island, and after exiting into the southwest [[Indian Ocean]], it turned to the west and moved ashore in eastern Madagascar on January 31. After once again crossing the island, the cyclone reached the Mozambique Channel and re-intensified. Elita turned to the southeast to make its final landfall on February 3 along southwestern Madagascar. Two days later, it underwent an [[extratropical cyclone|extratropical transition]]; subsequently, the remnant system moved erratically before dissipating on February 13.

Elita dropped heavy rainfall of more than 200&nbsp;mm (8&nbsp;inches), which damaged or destroyed thousands of houses in Madagascar. Over 50,000&nbsp;people were left homeless, primarily in [[Mahajanga Province|Mahajanga]] and [[Toliara Province|Toliara]] provinces. Flooding from the storm ruined more than 450&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (170&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) of agricultural land, including important crops for food. Across the island, the [[cyclone]] caused 33&nbsp;deaths, with its impact further compounded by [[Cyclone Gafilo]] about two months later. Elsewhere, Elita brought rainfall and damage to [[Mozambique]] and [[Malawi]], and its outer wind circulation produced rough seas and strong gusts in [[Seychelles]], [[Mauritius]], and [[Réunion]].

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Elita 2004 track.png}}
Toward the end of January 2004, an active phase of the [[Madden–Julian oscillation]] exited the east coast of Africa and fueled [[convection (meteorology)|convection]] (thunderstorms) near Madagascar, beginning on January&nbsp;20. This pulse, the strongest of the season, was also responsible for generating cyclones [[2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season#Intense Tropical Cyclone Frank|Frank]] and [[2003–04 Australian region cyclone season#Tropical Cyclone Linda|Linda]]. The thunderstorms coalesced in the [[Mozambique Channel]] between Madagascar and [[Mozambique]] on January&nbsp;24, fueled by a surge in the [[monsoon]]. That day, the [[Météo-France]] meteorological office in [[Réunion]]{{#tag:ref|[[Météo-France]]'s meteorological office in [[Réunion]] (MFR) is the official [[Regional Specialized Meteorological Center]] for the South-West Indian Ocean, tracking all [[tropical cyclone]]s from the east coast of [[Africa]] to [[90th meridian west|90° E]].<ref name="car">{{cite report|author=Philippe Caroff|date=April 2011|title=Operational procedures of TC satellite analysis at RSMC La Reunion|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|access-date=2013-10-27|url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/RSMCLaReunionforIWSATC.pdf|pages=4&ndash;5|display-authors=etal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006123441/http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/RSMCLaReunionforIWSATC.pdf|archive-date=2014-10-06|url-status=live}}</ref>|group="nb"}} designated the system as Tropical Disturbance 06. The surge also increased [[wind shear]] in the region, which displaced the convection from the circulation. Drifting southwestward at first, the system became more defined, culminating with a marked increase in thunderstorms on January&nbsp;26. That day, the MFR upgraded the system to Moderate Tropical Storm Elita near [[Juan de Nova Island]].<ref name="mfr">{{cite report|title=Cyclone Season 2003–2004|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|work=RSMC La Reunion|publisher=Meteo-France|pages=41–51|access-date=July 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404175548/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|archive-date=April 4, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> On the same day, the [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC){{#tag:ref|The [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC) is a joint [[United States Navy]]&nbsp;– [[United States Air Force]] task force that issues advisories for storms in the [[tropical cyclone basins|basin]].|group="nb"}} initiated advisories on the system, designating it Tropical Cyclone 09S.<ref name="atcr">{{cite report|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=United States Navy|access-date=August 8, 2017|pages=230–231|title=Annual Tropical Cyclone Report|url=https://metoc.ndbc.noaa.gov/ProductFeeds-portlet/img/jtwc/atcr/2004atcr.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228011330/https://metoc.ndbc.noaa.gov/ProductFeeds-portlet/img/jtwc/atcr/2004atcr.pdf|archive-date=December 28, 2016}}</ref>

Steered by a [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] to the west, the nascent Tropical Storm Elita turned northward over its previous path, an unusual trajectory for the Mozambique Channel. The convection fluctuated until January&nbsp;28, when a curved [[rainband]] developed and quickly organized into an [[eye (cyclone)|eyewall]]; this followed a decrease in wind shear. Another ridge to the northeast blocked the northward movement, and Elita turned to the east-southeast toward the west coast of Madagascar. Around 15:00&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on January&nbsp;28, the storm made [[landfall (meteorology)|landfall]] at [[Bombetoka Bay]], or about 30&nbsp;km (20&nbsp;mi) southwest of [[Mahajanga]]. The airport there recorded [[maximum sustained winds|10&nbsp;minute sustained winds]] of 126&nbsp;km/h (78&nbsp;mph), and on that basis, the MFR upgraded Elita to [[Tropical cyclone scales#South-West Indian Ocean|tropical cyclone status]] in post-season analysis. This made Elita the first tropical cyclone to strike western Madagascar since [[1990–91 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season#Tropical Cyclone Cynthia|Cyclone Cynthia]] in 1991. While Elita was active, both the JTWC and the MFR estimated an intensity of 110&nbsp;km/h (70&nbsp;mph) at the first landfall.<ref name="wmo">{{cite web|author=RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee for the Southwest Indian Ocean|year=2005|title=Seventeenth Session for the Tropical Cyclone Committee|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|access-date=2008-01-18|url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/RAITCC-17En.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717054942/http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/RAITCC-17En.pdf|archive-date=2012-07-17|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mfr"/><ref name="gp">{{cite web|author=Gary Padgett|author2=Kevin Boyle|title=Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary January 2004|date=October 26, 2006|access-date=July 25, 2017|url=http://www.australiansevereweather.com/cyclones/2004/summ0401.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628044137/http://www.australiansevereweather.com/cyclones/2004/summ0401.htm|archive-date=June 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:Elita (2004) rain density.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclone Elita rainfall map]]
Over land, the storm rapidly weakened to a tropical depression, and the JTWC temporarily discontinued issuing advisories. The center of Elita crossed Madagascar, passing near Madagascar's capital [[Antananarivo]], and redeveloped thunderstorms in its eastern periphery. Late on January&nbsp;29, the circulation emerged into the Indian Ocean near [[Mahanoro]]. A ridge to the east turned the system back to the west, allowing the system only about 24&nbsp;hours over open waters. During that time, the structure reorganized slightly, and the MFR upgraded Elita to a moderate tropical storm on January&nbsp;30. The storm made its second landfall near [[Mananjary, Fianarantsoa|Mananjary]], and crossed Madagascar a second time over the course of 24&nbsp;hours.<ref name="mfr"/><ref name="gp"/>

Early on January&nbsp;31, Elita emerged again into the Mozambique Channel, and the JTWC began reissuing advisories. With warm waters and low wind shear, Elita re-intensified off the west coast of Madagascar, reaching moderate tropical storm status for a third time on February&nbsp;1. After moving west-northwestward, the storm stalled on February&nbsp;2 due to a building ridge to the north. At that time, Elita was about 140&nbsp;km (85&nbsp;mi) southwest of where it attained tropical storm status for the first time six days prior. The convection reorganized into a [[central dense overcast]], but unlike its first period of intensification, no eye feature developed. Late on February&nbsp;2, the JTWC assessed peak winds of 120&nbsp;km/h (75&nbsp;mph) &ndash; the equivalent of a minimal hurricane. Around that time, Elita moved ashore Madagascar for a third time near [[Morondava]], which reported a minimum [[atmospheric pressure|barometric pressure]] of {{convert|969.6|mbar|inHg|abbr=on}}. Due to the lack of wind observations, the MFR estimated a peak landfall intensity of 110&nbsp;km/h (70&nbsp;mph), although the agency noted that the storm could have attained tropical cyclone intensity again.<ref name="mfr"/><ref name="gp"/>

Crossing Madagascar for a third time, Elita closely followed the trajectory of its second passage, emerging into the Indian Ocean near [[Manakara]] on February&nbsp;3. Despite initial forecasts of re-intensification, Elita accelerated southeastward and lost its remaining convection, leaving its center exposed under the influence of a strong upper-level [[trough (meteorology)|trough]]. The structure resembled a [[subtropical cyclone]] as the surface circulation became broader. Late on February&nbsp;4, the JTWC discontinued advisories, and the MFR classified Elita as an [[extratropical cyclone]] on the next day. For the next week, the remnants of Elita meandered to the southeast of Madagascar. On February&nbsp;11, the residual circulation tracked southwestward, only to accelerate southeastward away from the region on February&nbsp;13, when the MFR ceased monitoring the system.<ref name="gp"/><ref name="atcr"/>

==Preparations and impact==
[[Malawi]] in southeastern Africa experienced the fringes of the storm, when inflow of the storm brought moisture from the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]]. This produced heavy rainfall of over 150&nbsp;mm (6&nbsp;in), which destroyed more than 80&nbsp;houses and a clinic in [[Karonga|Karonga district]].<ref name="wmo"/> The [[Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology]] advised people living in [[Nampula Province|Nampula]], [[Zambezia Province|Zambezia]], [[Sofala Province|Sofala]], and [[Inhambane Province]]s to make preparations for strong winds and rainfall.<ref name="Xinhua TS affects Mozambique">{{cite news|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/OCHA-64DJQS?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=ST-2004-0029-MDG|title=Tropical storm affects Mozambique|publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|date=2004-02-03|access-date=2008-01-20}}</ref> Elita impacted four [[provinces of Mozambique]]. Much of the impact was along the coast from [[Inhambane]] to [[Nampula]].<ref name="Xinhua TS affects Mozambique"/> In Nampula province, over 2,000&nbsp;buildings were destroyed. The most severe damage was to generally poorly built houses. In the city of Nampula, a school was badly damaged, and in [[Nacala-a-Velha District|Nacala-a-Velha]], some residents had to spend the night of January 29 outside.<ref name="Xinhua Nampula Mozambique">{{cite news|title=Storm hits Nampula province of Mozambique|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64CLUN?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=ST-2004-0029-MDG|date=2004-01-30|publisher=[[Xinhua News Agency]]|access-date=2008-01-20}}</ref>

The precursor to Elita dropped heavy rainfall in the [[Comoros]] and [[Mayotte]]. In the latter island, {{convert|100|to|150|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall within 24&nbsp;hours produced landslides and contributed to three deaths, when the walls of a house collapsed. During its first landfall on Madagascar, Elita produced wind gusts of around 100&nbsp;km/h (60&nbsp;mph) on Mayotte. On Juan de Nova Island in the Mozambique Channel, the storm dropped {{convert|403|mm|in|abbr=on}} of rainfall in just 12&nbsp;hours, with {{convert|150|mm|in|abbr=on}} recorded in one hour.<ref name="mfr"/> The storm brought rough seas, gusty winds, and some precipitation to the southwestern islands in [[Seychelles]].<ref name="wmo"/>

===Madagascar===
[[Image:Cyclone Elita Run-off.jpg|right|thumb|[[Surface runoff]] from Cyclone Elita]]
Throughout Madagascar, the cyclone killed at least 33&nbsp;people and injured 886&nbsp;others.<ref name="mfr"/> Throughout the country, Cyclone Elita destroyed or severely damaged 12,408&nbsp;homes,<ref name="ifrc33">{{cite web|author=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|date=2004-03-03|title=Madagascar: Cyclone Elita Information Bulletin No. 1|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/OCHA-64C95J?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=ST-2004-0029-MDG}}</ref> which left 55,983&nbsp;people homeless,<ref name="wmo"/> primarily in Mahajanga and [[Toliara Province|Toliara]].<ref name="act227"/> This forced around 7,000&nbsp;people to seek shelter in either stadiums or in the remaining standing buildings. Additionally, a total of 510&nbsp;schools and hospitals received major damage. The cyclone affected five of the six provinces of Madagascar, with roads and power being severely disrupted in some areas;<ref name="ifrc33"/> at least 39&nbsp;bridges were damaged or destroyed.<ref name="act227">{{cite web|author=Action by Churches Together International|date=2004-02-27|title=ACT Appeal Madagascar: Cyclone Relief AFMG-41|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64CE7E?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=ST-2004-0029-MDG}}</ref> Across the nation the storm damaged more than {{convert|450|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of agricultural land.<ref name="usaid"/>

Upon making its first landfall on Madagascar, Elita dropped heavy rainfall along its path, peaking at {{convert|715|mm|in|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|year=2004|access-date=March 10, 2011|title=Cyclone Elita (09S) Cumulative Track and rainfall|url=http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/fews/CYCLONES/elita_track.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315155610/http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/fews/CYCLONES/elita_track.pdf|archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> including a 24‑hour total of 222&nbsp;mm (8.74&nbsp;in) in [[Antsohihy]]. Wind gusts reached over 180&nbsp;km/h (110&nbsp;mph) in [[Mahajanga]] near where the storm made its first landfall.<ref name="wmo"/> A tornado also affected the city during Elita's third transit of Madagascar, which killed two people and destroyed a soap manufacturing plant.<ref name="mfr"/> The passage of the cyclone left 5,000&nbsp;people homeless in the vicinity of its first landfall. Along with power and water outages, about 90&nbsp;percent of the buildings in northwestern [[Mahajanga Province]] were damaged by the storm.<ref name="atcr"/>

Much of Morondava on the west coast was flooded, after a dam near the city collapsed.<ref name="mfr"/> [[Maintirano]] along the west coast was also damaged, as was [[Soavinandriana]] in the island's interior.<ref name="wmo"/> In the capital city Antananarivo, 90&nbsp;km/h (56&nbsp;mph) wind gusts caused power outages and damaged part of the [[Rova of Antananarivo|Rova]], or the Queen's Palace.<ref name="mfr"/> In [[Midongy Atismo]] in southeastern Madagascar, heavy rainfall flooded 80% of rice crop,<ref>{{cite web|author=Integrated Regional Information Networks|date=2004-02-16|title=Aid urgent after Elita sows destruction|publisher=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/OCHA-64BNX2?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=ST-2004-0029-MDG}}</ref> and the corn and manioc crops were both similarly affected. These represent the staple foods of the population.<ref name="ifrc33"/>

==Aftermath==
On February 13, 2004, officials in Madagascar issued an appeal for international aid.<ref name="afp213"/> By a month after the storm, the governments of [[France]], the [[United States]], [[Germany]], and [[Japan]] sent a total of $287,000 (2004&nbsp;USD) in assistance.<ref name="usaid">{{cite web|author=Tamra Halmrast-Sanchez|year=2004|title=Southern Africa Information Bulletin #2|publisher=United States Agency for International Development|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/countries/southern_africa/fy2004/SouthernAfrica_UP_IB02-05-21-2004.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217183521/http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/countries/southern_africa/fy2004/SouthernAfrica_UP_IB02-05-21-2004.pdf|archive-date=2012-02-17}}</ref><ref name="afp213"/><ref name="ga"/><ref name="ja"/> The government of France sent a plane with food, medicine, and other equipment to the affected areas.<ref name="afp213">{{cite web|author=Agence France-Presse|date=2004-02-13|title=Madagascar seeks aid after storm kills 29, leaves 44,000 homeless|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/OCHA-64C6JD?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=ST-2004-0029-MDG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520073954/http://www.reliefweb.int/node/142343 |archive-date=2011-05-20}}</ref>  The government of Germany sent aid to be used for foods and medicines.<ref name="ga">{{cite web|author=Government of Germany|year=2004|title=Federal Foreign Office makes available 70,000 euro for victims of the tropical cyclone "Elita" in Madagascar|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/ACOS-64CC6F?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=ST-2004-0029-MDG}}</ref> On February 27, the government of Japan sent aid to the country, including tents, generators, and plastic sheets.<ref name="ja">{{cite web|author=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|date=2004-02-27|title=Emergency Assistance to Madagascar for Cyclone Disaster|access-date=2008-01-20|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2004/2/0227-2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070912/http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2004/2/0227-2.html|archive-date=2014-10-06|url-status=live}}</ref>

Officials distributed emergency relief items to the affected areas, including rice, sugar, soap, candles, matches and water purification tablets. In [[Morondava]] in [[Toliara Province]], the government distributed 4&nbsp;tons of rice seed, while in [[Ambatolampy]] in [[Antananarivo Province]], the government sent 10&nbsp;tons of rice; additionally, the [[World Food Programme]] sent 80&nbsp;tons of flour to the nation. The combined efforts of the [[United Nations]] and aid agencies repaired the schools and distributed meals to the families affected by the disaster. Workers in association with the Madagascar [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]] set up a water system that provided about 45,000&nbsp;litres (11,900&nbsp;gallons) of drinkable water per day.<ref name="ifrc33"/>

The impact of Cyclone Elita was severely compounded by [[Cyclone Gafilo]] about two months later, which killed hundreds and left over 240,000&nbsp;people homeless.<ref name="wmo"/>

==See also==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Cyclone Elita.ogg|date=2012-03-12}}
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[List of wettest tropical cyclones by country#Madagascar|Wettest tropical cyclones in Madagascar]]
*[[Cyclone Felicie (1971)|Cyclone Felicie]] - struck Madagascar four times in 1971

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}
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==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

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{{2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season buttons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Elita (2004)}}
[[Category:2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
[[Category:2004 in Madagascar]]
[[Category:Cyclones in Madagascar]]
[[Category:South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclones]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2004|Elita]]