View source for Cyclone Gafilo

{{short description|South-West Indian cyclone in 2004}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox weather event
| name = Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo
| image = Gafilo 2004-03-06 0655Z.jpg
| caption = Cyclone Gafilo near its record peak intensity while approaching Madagascar on 6 March
| formed = 1 March 2004
| dissipated = 18 March 2004
| extratropical = 15 March 2004
| duration = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/MFR
| winds = 125
| pressure = 895
| pressure-suffix = <br/> (Record low in the South-West Indian Ocean, Third-lowest in Southern Hemisphere)
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 140
| pressure = 898
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2004
| damages = 250000000
| fatalities = 363
| missing = +181
| affected = [[Madagascar]]
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season]] 
}}
'''Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo''' was both the [[List of the most intense tropical cyclones#South-West Indian Ocean|most intense tropical cyclone]] ever recorded in the [[South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone climatology|South-West Indian Ocean]] and the most intense [[tropical cyclone]] worldwide in 2004. Being unusually large and intense, Gafilo was the deadliest and most destructive cyclone of the [[2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season]]. According to the [[EM-DAT]] International Disaster Database, Gafilo killed at least 363 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2017/03/09/At-least-5-killed-when-cyclone-hits-Madagascar/6751489075127/|title=At least 5 killed when cyclone hits Madagascar|work=UPI|access-date=2017-03-11|language=en}}</ref> Gafilo also caused about $250 million (2004 USD) damages in [[Madagascar]], which makes it one of the most devastating storms to hit the country on reliable record.

Forming south of [[Diego Garcia]], it intensified into a moderate tropical storm on 3 March. One day later, Gafilo became a tropical cyclone, and it ultimately intensified into a very intense tropical cyclone on 6 March, prior to making landfall over Madagascar early on the next day. After crossing the island, Gafilo emerged into the [[Mozambique Channel]] and made landfall over Madagascar again on 9 March. After a three-day loop overland, the system arrived at the [[Indian Ocean]] on 13 March, and it transitioned into a [[Subtropical cyclone|subtropical depression]] on 14 March. Gafilo then became [[Extratropical cyclone|extratropical]] on the next day and weakened, before dissipating on 18 March.

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Gafilo 2004 track.png}}
A disturbance formed south of [[Diego Garcia]] on 29 February, and [[Météo-France]] [[La Réunion]] (MFR) upgraded the identified system within the [[monsoon trough]] to a tropical disturbance on the next day. On 2 March, although the centre was exposed due to moderate easterly vertical [[wind shear]], the [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC) issued a [[Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert]] on the system which was situated north of a [[subtropical ridge]], based on improved organisation of deep convection and moderate poleward [[Outflow (meteorology)|outflow]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 2 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/02/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref> However, its temporary acceleration on that day lessened vertical wind shear.<ref>{{cite book|title=Saison cyclonique Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien, 2003–2004|year=2006|publisher=Météo-France|isbn=2951166583|page=62|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|chapter=Gafilo}}</ref> As the centre became under organised deep convection on 3 March, the system intensified into a tropical depression, then a moderate tropical storm named ''Gafilo'' by the Sub-regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre in [[Mauritius]], shortly before MFR even upgraded Gafilo to a severe tropical storm later. When the system slowed and tracked west-northwestwards along the northern periphery of a building [[subtropical ridge]], it reached category 1 strength on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]] late on 3 March.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 3 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/03/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref>
The complete pattern of the cyclone from 4 to 8 March as it moved through the south western Indian Ocean has been recorded by the TRMM through its satellite imagery. TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) is a joint mission between NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA.<ref>{{cite web|last1=GC501|title=Earth Observatory imagery|url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=12826|publisher=NASA|accessdate=8 March 2004}}</ref>

[[File:Gafilo 2004-03-03.jpg|thumb|Tropical Cyclone Gafilo on 3 March]]
Although dry air significantly reduced deep convection on 4 March, MFR upgraded Gafilo to a tropical cyclone due to a banding [[Eye (cyclone)|eye]], when the system began to expand its clockwise circulation and track west-southwestwards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 4 March 2004 |url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/04/text/Severe/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525011601/https://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/04/text/Severe/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-05-25 |work=Mtarchive Data Server |publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology |format=TXT }}</ref> By dual [[Outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] channels, Gafilo underwent [[rapid deepening]] and reached category 4 strength on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]] on 5 March, as MFR also upgraded Gafilo to an intense tropical cyclone late on the same day.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 5 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/05/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref> On 6 March, besides warm [[sea surface temperature]] above 29&nbsp;°C, the atypical third outflow channel from the west made conditions for the cyclone more favourable.<ref>{{cite book|title=Saison cyclonique Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien, 2003–2004|year=2006|publisher=Météo-France|isbn=2951166583|pages=63, 66|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|chapter=Gafilo}}</ref> Therefore, MFR upgraded Gafilo to a very intense tropical cyclone with a very well-defined circular and warm {{convert|20|nmi}} diameter eye at 06Z, when it also reached category 5 strength on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 6 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/06/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref> At 12Z, Gafilo attained its peak intensity by the ten-minute maximum sustained winds reaching {{convert|125|kn|km/h mph}} and the atmospheric pressure decreasing to {{convert|895|hPa|inHg|abbr=on}}, although microwave imagery showed that the [[eyewall replacement cycle]] had begun.<ref>{{cite book|title=Saison cyclonique Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien, 2003–2004|year=2006|publisher=Météo-France|isbn=2951166583|page=65|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|chapter=Gafilo}}</ref>

Shortly after slightly weakening due to land interaction, Gafilo made landfall in the vicinity of [[Antalaha]], [[Madagascar]] early on 7 March. Unlike other storms, the overland depression just weakened gradually, because of its unusually large circulation making the outer part still at sea.<ref name="meteofrance6869">{{cite book|title=Saison cyclonique Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien, 2003–2004|year=2006|publisher=Météo-France|isbn=2951166583|pages=68, 69|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|chapter=Gafilo}}</ref> On that day, Gafilo tracked more southwestwards along the northwestern periphery of a [[subtropical ridge]] located to the southeast.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 7 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/07/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref> Before noon on 8 March, Gafilo arrived at the [[Mozambique Channel]] as a moderate tropical storm whose strongest winds were located in the northern sector.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 8 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/08/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref> On 9 March, Gafilo became almost stationary and then tracked southeastwards along the western periphery of a [[subtropical ridge]] located to the east. MFR upgraded the system to a severe tropical storm supported by observed data from Malagasy stations at noon; however, JTWC analysed that the storm became below category 1 strength on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]] at the same time in their best track data.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 9 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/09/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref>

Late on 9 March, Gafilo made landfall north of [[Morombe]], [[Madagascar]], and the system started to make a three-day clockwise loop over the south part of Madagascar.<ref name="meteofrance6869"/> For the system further weakened after landfall, JTWC analysed that Gafilo dissipated overland late on 11 March, as well as MFR issued a final warning on the overland depression which began to track southeastwards early on 12 March. Surprisingly, MFR began to issue warnings again on the completely disorganised system at noon on 12 March, as the residual centre was expected to go back overseas. Late on the same day, JTWC issued a [[Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert]] on the overland remnants, because of improved deep convection over the low-level circulation centre, poleward [[Outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] and weak vertical [[wind shear]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 12 March 2004 |url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/12/text/Severe/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130624220319/http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/12/text/Severe/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-06-24 |work=Mtarchive Data Server |publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology |format=TXT }}</ref>

Early on 13 March, Gafilo arrived at the [[Indian Ocean]] as a tropical disturbance; JTWC cancelled a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system because of the less organised low-level circulation centre and moderate vertical wind shear.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 13 March 2004 |url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/13/text/Severe/ |work=Mtarchive Data Server |publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology |format=TXT }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Gafilo transferred into a [[Subtropical cyclone|subtropical depression]] south of [[La Réunion]] on 14 March, when the deep convective activity was intensifying with better organisation of a small cluster above the low-level circulation centre due to good upper-level divergence and a warm [[sea surface temperature]] of 26&nbsp;°C to 29&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 14 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/14/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref> After attaining minor peak intensity in its subtropical period late on 14 March, Gafilo began to track eastward and transitioned into an [[Extratropical cyclone|extratropical depression]] on 15 March. Owing to a building [[subtropical ridge]] located to the southwest, the extratropical depression slowed and turned northwestwards on 16 March.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advisories on 15 March 2004|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu/2004/03/15/text/Severe/|work=Mtarchive Data Server|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology|format=TXT}}</ref> After slowly weakening, the system completely dissipated on 18 March.

==Impact==

===Madagascar===
[[File:Cyclone Gafilo Mahajanga.jpg|thumb|left|Destroyed coastline of [[Mahajanga]], [[Madagascar]]]]
Gafilo caused strong winds and torrential rainfall over [[Madagascar]]. A half-day after the first landfall, [[Beaufort scale|hurricane-force]] winds were still observed near [[Mahajanga]] late on 7 March. When Gafilo was reorganising in the [[Mozambique Channel]], {{convert|190|mm|in|abbr=on}} of [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] was recorded at [[Maintirano]] on 9 March, as well as {{convert|242|mm|in|abbr=on}} was recorded at [[Tôlanaro]] on the same day. During its three-day loop overland, Gafilo brought {{convert|238|mm|in|abbr=on}} at [[Morondava]] on 11 March.<ref name="meteofrance6869"/>

As [[Cyclone Elita|Elita]] had already struck Madagascar one month ago, damage from Gafilo created extreme devastation in the country. The National Rescue Council in [[Antananarivo]] reported 237 dead, 181 missing, 879 injured, and 304,000 homeless (174,000 in [[Antalaha]] alone). More than 20,000 homes were destroyed, as well as 413 public buildings and 3,400 schools were damaged, including 1,400 schools completely destroyed. The [[United Nations]] estimated that there were 700,000 disaster-stricken people, 280,000 of which needed urgent assistance.<ref name="meteofrance6869"/>

Despite being located {{convert|300|km|abbr=on}} north of Gafilo's centre, the wreck of the ferry 'Samson' still happened on the night of 7 March, offshore the northwestern port of [[Mahajanga]]. A narrow but strong band of Gafilo caused very rough conditions at sea, causing the ferry to experience engine failure and capsize immediately after. While the number of fatalities remains undetermined, 120 people were officially on board, and only three people reached shore, surviving the shipwreck. The ferry had been heading to Madagascar from the [[Comoros Islands]] at the time of its sinking.<ref>{{cite news|title=Madagascar storm death toll rises|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3497494.stm|agency=BBC News|date=10 March 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Saison cyclonique Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien, 2003–2004|year=2006|publisher=Météo-France|isbn=2951166583|pages=70–72|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|chapter=Gafilo}}</ref>

In Antalaha, [[food prices]] shot up by 35%, and the harbour was badly damaged and non-operational. Roads and bridges connecting the city to outlying villages were inaccessible, and electricity, water and telephone lines were cut.<ref name="ifrc">{{cite web|author=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies |publisher=ReliefWeb|date=17 March 2004|accessdate=6 May 2013|title=Madagascar: Cyclone Gafilo|url=http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/04/0804a.pdf}}</ref> Overall in Madagascar, the main damage caused by Gafilo was the subsequent flooding of vast areas in the north, northwest and southwest; Where extensive, the flooding caused serious damage to [[vanilla]], rice and banana crops. In many places, the crops were expected to be totally lost.<ref name="meteofrance6869"/>

Moreover, [[shrimp]] harvesting also suffered. Some of the affected areas coincided with those affected by [[Cyclone Elita|Elita]], and stocks and resources were already depleted in many areas. In the absence of immediate response, an increase in water-borne diseases such as [[malaria]] and [[diarrhoea]] could have occurred immediately, while outbreaks of [[cholera]] were expected to be seen within the coming 6–8 weeks.<ref name="ifrc"/><ref>{{cite web|author=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=25 February 2005|accessdate=31 March 2011|title=Madagascar: Cyclone Gafilo, Final Report, Appeal 08/04|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/DDAD-69XMQW?OpenDocument&rc=1&emid=2004-0103}}</ref>

===Other islands===
Damage was minimal to other islands in the South-west Indian Ocean, but [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] was very heavy. Far from the centre of Gafilo, {{convert|393|mm|in|abbr=on}} was recorded at [[La Réunion]] within 48 hours, and {{convert|159|mm|in|abbr=on}} was recorded at the [[Seychelles]] on 4 March. At a point {{convert|160|km|abbr=on}} south of Gafilo, ten-minute maximum sustained winds were 49 knots with a peak gust of 66 knots recorded at [[Tromelin Island]]. During 7 and 8 March, precipitation at [[Mayotte]] was recorded between {{convert|100|and|275|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Saison cyclonique Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien, 2003–2004|year=2006|publisher=Météo-France|isbn=2951166583|pages=63, 67|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|chapter=Gafilo}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
Following the passage of Gafilo, the Malagasy government passed Inter-ministerial Order 17939/2004 in September 2004, which cleared the way for export of new and existing stocks of [[rosewood]] as 'salvage'. This created anarchy in the national parks in the [[Sava Region]], with loggers extracting a large quantity of rosewood and [[ebony]], grossly disproportionate to the amount of damage caused by the storm.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Patel|first1=E.R.|title=Logging of Rare Rosewood and Palisandre (''Dalbergia spp.'') within Marojejy National Park, Madagascar|journal=Madagascar Conservation & Development|volume=2|issue=1|date=December 2007|pages=103–112|url=http://www.mwc-info.net/en/services/Journal_PDF%27s/Issue2/Logging_of_Rosewood.pdf|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112114714/http://www.mwc-info.net/en/services/Journal_PDF%27s/Issue2/Logging_of_Rosewood.pdf|archivedate=12 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="GW">{{cite web|title=Investigation into the illegal felling, transport and export of precious wood in SAVA region Madagascar|url=http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_get.php/1184/1264883653/mada_report_revised_finalen.pdf|publisher=Global Witness|date=August 2009|accessdate=30 January 2010}}</ref> During this time, [[Marojejy National Park]] reported that with the granting of export rights, logging in the park had resumed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marojejy National Parks – News Updates|url=http://www.marojejy.com/Breves_e.htm|publisher=Marojejy National Park|date=November 2009|accessdate=4 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714041236/http://www.marojejy.com/Breves_e.htm|archive-date=14 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was not until 2006, with the passing of Inter-ministerial Order 16030/2006, that the export ban was reinstated, nearly two years after the storm, but not before the exporters lobbied the government for an extension 'following the grievances expressed by operators' in October 2005, per Memorandum 923/05.<ref name="GW"/><ref name="WildMadagascar">{{cite web|last=Gerety|first=Rowan Moore|title=Major international banks, shipping companies, and consumers play key role in Madagascar's logging crisis|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2009/1215-rowan_madagascar.html|publisher=WildMadagascar.org|date=16 December 2009|accessdate=29 January 2010}}</ref> Exports were also authorized following cyclones in 2006 and 2007, encouraging the stockpiling of large quantities of lumber in both legal depots and hidden caches around the ports of [[Vohémar]] and [[Antalaha]].<ref name="WildMadagascar"/>

==Records==
With ten-minute maximum sustained winds of {{convert|125|kn|km/h mph}} (later equaled by [[Cyclone Hellen|Hellen]] in 2014 and [[2014–15 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season#Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Eunice|Eunice]] in 2015, and surpassed by [[Cyclone Fantala|Fantala]] in 2016, with 10-min sustained winds of {{convert|135|kn|km/h mph}}) and an [[atmospheric pressure]] of {{convert|895|hPa|inHg|abbr=on}}, Gafilo became the [[List of the most intense tropical cyclones#South-West Indian Ocean|most intense tropical cyclone]] in the South-West Indian Ocean since reliable records began to be kept. In addition, Gafilo was the only tropical cyclone in the basin having an atmospheric pressure below {{convert|900|hPa|inHg|abbr=on}} since [[1981–82 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season#Intense Tropical Cyclone Chris–Damia|Chris–Damia]] in 1982. Gafilo made landfall over Madagascar early on 7 March as a very intense tropical cyclone with ten-minute maximum sustained winds of {{convert|120|kn|km/h mph}} and an [[atmospheric pressure]] of {{convert|905|hPa|inHg|abbr=on}}, becoming the strongest storm to make landfall over Madagascar, and even Africa, on record, tied with [[Cyclone Hary|Hary]] for both of those records in 2002.

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[Cyclone Elita]] (2004)
*[[Cyclone Ivan]] (2008)
*[[Cyclone Giovanna]] (2012)
*[[Cyclone Fantala]] (2016) – Storm with the highest sustained winds recorded in the South-West Indian Ocean basin
*[[Cyclone Enawo]] (2017)
*[[Cyclone Mahina]] (1899) – The most intense tropical cyclone recorded in the Southern Hemisphere
*[[Cyclone Ambali]] (2019) – A very intense tropical cyclone that formed in December 2019
*[[Illegal logging in Madagascar]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* {{cite book|title=Saison cyclonique Sud-Ouest de l'océan Indien, 2003–2004|year=2006|publisher=Météo-France|isbn=2951166583|pages=60–73|url=http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/archives/publications/saisons_cycloniques/index20032004.html|language=French, English}}
* {{cite web|title=Advisories during 2–15 March 2004|work=Mtarchive Data Server|url=http://mtarchive.geol.iastate.edu|publisher=Iowa State University of Science and Technology}}
* {{cite web|last=Padgett|first=Gary|title=Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary March 2004|url=http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2004/summ0403.htm|work=Tropical Cyclones|publisher=Australian Severe Weather|accessdate=29 April 2013}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130928232054/http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/TGPR/saison20032004B/07.html RSMC La Réunion Best Track Data] of Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Gafilo {{in lang|fr}}
*[http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2004/2004s-bsh/bsh162004.txt JTWC Best Track Data] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009234422/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2004/2004s-bsh/bsh162004.txt |date=9 October 2012 }} of Tropical Cyclone 16S (Gafilo)
*[http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/2004atcr.pdf JTWC 2004 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206154117/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/2004atcr.pdf |date=6 December 2013 }}

{{Leading tropical cyclones}}
{{2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season buttons}}{{Very intense tropical cyclones}}
[[Category:2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season|Gafilo (2004)]]
[[Category:Cyclones in Madagascar|Gafilo (2004)]]
[[Category:2004 in Madagascar]]
[[Category:Very intense tropical cyclones|Gafilo (2004)]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2004|Gafilo]]