The 1976–77 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was a below-average cyclone season. The season officially ran from November 1, 1976, to April 30, 1977.
Systems
Moderate Tropical Storm Agathe The first storm of the season, it stayed out to sea before dissipating.
Severe Tropical Storm Brigitta
This system formed west of Diego Garcia on November 15. For the next eleven days, Brigitta meandered southward as a tropical depression. After assuming a westward course, Brigitta strengthened into a tropical storm on November 26. The system reached its peak intensity as it passed by the northern tip of Madagascar. The system moved through the Comoros Islands, and then turned southward into Mozambique.
Cyclone Clarence
On January 8, Clarence passed near St. Brandon, producing high waves that destroyed four boats and several homes. Wind gusts on the island reached . For several days moved in a counterclockwise track around the Mascarene Islands, producing high waves and beneficial rainfall on Réunion.
Moderate Tropical Storm Domitile The cyclone paralleled the coast of Madagascar for most of its life, while remaining weak.
Severe Tropical Storm Emilie
Cyclone Emilie struck the east coast of Mozambique and northeastern South Africa in February 1977. Heavy flooding in the Limpopo Valley killed at least 300 people.
Tropical Cyclone Fifi
Cyclone Fifi passed west of Réunion on February 6, bringing four days' of rainfall that reached . Flooding damaged crops and roads, and one person died while attempting to cross an inundated road.
Tropical Depression Gilda The cyclone entered the basin on December 4, dissipating on December 9.
Severe Tropical Storm Hervea
The storm passed just south of Agaléga, dropping of rainfall.
Intense Tropical Cyclone Jack–Io The strongest storm of the season, the cyclone stayed out to sea for the time it existed.
See also Atlantic hurricane seasons: 1976, 1977 Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons: 1976, 1977 Western Pacific typhoon seasons: 1976, 1977 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1976, 1977
References