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Draft:Cyclone Bheki (2024)

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Intense Tropical Cyclone Bheki
Bheki at its peak in the open South Indian Ocean on November 17th.
Meteorological history
FormedNovember 12, 2024
DissipatedNovember 23, 2024
Intense tropical cyclone
10-minute sustained (MFR)
Highest winds195 km/h (120 mph)
Lowest pressure944 hPa (mbar); 27.88 inHg
Category 4-equivalent tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/JTWC)
Highest winds215 km/h (130 mph)
Lowest pressure961 hPa (mbar); 28.38 inHg
Overall effects
Areas affectedMauritius

Part of the 2024–25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

Cyclone Bheki was a tropical cyclone in the 2024-25 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season. Formed on 12 November, Bheki is the second named storm and the third storm of the season. Cyclone Bheki is in 2024 the strongest November cyclone recorded in the basin by wind speed; it also was the strongest off-season storm in the basin, beating Anais’s record of 115 mph (185 km/h).

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On 11 November, the MFR noted that an elongated low-level circulation was developing despite being inside an environment with dry air and easterly shear, due to good divergence on the western side, steadily developing convection, and monsoonal flow.[1] Later that day, the JTWC began tracking the disturbance, noting that it was in an environment favorable for development southeast off Diego Garcia.[2] Further organziation occurred, and early on 12 November, the MFR designated the system as Zone of Disturbed Weather 03.[3] It was later upgraded to Moderate Tropical Storm Bheki on 14 November, and Severe Tropical Storm Bheki with hurricane-force winds on 15 November. Soon, on 16 November, it had strengthened a little more, and had reached cyclone status. Soon, it reached major hurricane equivalent winds, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. As it weakened and approached Madagascar, the end of Cyclone Bheki was imminent. On November 23, Cyclone Bheki had died out near Madagascar, however, it became the strongest cyclone of the season, so far.

Impact

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Mauritius

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In Rodrigues, Mauritius, wind gusts of 100 to 122 km/h (62 to 76 mph) were reported.[4][5] The Rodrigues Emergency Operations Command reported that 64 % of the population had been left without electricity due to power outages caused by strong winds. Some 50 people had to seek shelter in centres across the island, some rescued by emergency services. Electricity company teams, military personnel and firefighters were dispersed across the territory to carry out necessary work, as well as clearing roads of fallen trees and branches, in order to return the situation to normal.[6] The strong 5 to 7 m (16 to 23 ft) swell caused coastal flooding and in Montagne-Goyave, the community school suffered heavy damage.[7] Despite all of the action in Rodrigues, no damage was caused.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bulletin for Cyclonic Activity and Significant Tropical Weather in the Southwest Indian Ocean (PDF) (Report). Météo-France. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  2. ^ Significant Tropical Weather Advisory for the Indian Ocean, 18Z 11 November 2024 Reissued (Report). United States Joint Typhoon Warning Center. 11 November 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-11-12. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  3. ^ Zone of Disturbed Weather 03 Warning Number (1/3/20242025) (PDF) (Report). Météo-France. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Cyclone Warning Bulletin Rodrigues (French Version)" (in French). Mauritius Meteorological Services. 2024-11-20. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  5. ^ Mathieu Saintomer (2024-11-20). "Forte tempête tropicale Bheki : Rodrigues passe en alerte de classe 4". Linfo.re (in French). Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  6. ^ "Cyclone Bheki: 64% des Rodriguais ont été privés de courant". lexpress.mu (in French). 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  7. ^ "Cyclone Bheki: Rodrigues balayée par le choc de l'alerte IV". lexpress.mu (in French). 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-11-21.