 Cyclone Bejisa shortly before peak intensity on 2 January | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 27 December 2013 |
| Remnant low | 4 January 2014 |
| Extratropical | 6 January 2014 |
| Dissipated | 7 January 2014 |
| Intense tropical cyclone | |
| 10-minute sustained (MFR) | |
| Highest winds | 175 km/h (110 mph) |
| Highest gusts | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 950 hPa (mbar); 28.05 inHg |
| Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC) | |
| Highest winds | 215 km/h (130 mph) |
| Lowest pressure | 944 hPa (mbar); 27.88 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 total |
| Damage | >$89.2 million (2014 USD) |
| Areas affected | |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2013–14 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season | |
Intense Tropical Cyclone Bejisa was a powerful tropical cyclone that affected the islands of Réunion and Mauritius in early January 2014. In late December 2013, a tropical disturbance developed to the north of Madagascar. With favorable conditions, the low developed into a disturbance and soon into a depression on 28 December. The system continued to develop and intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Bejisa on 29 December, with rapid intensification occurring. It developed into an Intense Tropical Cyclone on 30 December, reaching peak maximum sustained winds of 165 km/h (103 mph).[nb 1] Due to an eyewall replacement cycle, Bejisa weakened, but re-intensified to a secondary peak of 160 km/h (99 mph) on 1 January. Increased wind shear weakened the eyewall, which passed within 15 km (9.3 mi) of Réunion. After having moved generally south-southeastward for much of its duration, Bejisa turned to the southwest on 3 January, by which time it had weakened to tropical storm status. It became a post-tropical cyclone on 5 January after the convection weakened over the center, and Bejisa became extratropical the next day as it meandered southwest of Madagascar.
In its formative stages, Bejisa brought heavy rainfall to Seychelles, and it also dropped rainfall in Mauritius and Madagascar. Effects were worst on Réunion, where wind gusts were around 130–150 km/h (81–93 mph) along the coast. The storm also dropped torrential rainfall, peaking at 800 mm (31 in) at a volcano in Cilaos. The winds and rains downed many trees and power lines, which blocked roads and left 181,000 people without power. About 49% of the island also lost water supply. Bejisa left heavy damage to the agriculture industry, mainly to vanilla and sugar cane, totaling €62 million (US$84.8 million) in losses. The commune of Saint-Paul sustained moderate damage, with losses estimated at €3 million (US$4.1 million). Bejisa killed one person on the island due to head trauma, and there were 16 injuries. Later, the cyclone produced high waves in South Africa.
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