Cyclone Emnati

Emnati initially developed as a zone of disturbed weather where it moved westward over the open waters in the Indian Ocean. Environmental conditions were assessed as being marginally conducive for tropical cyclogenesis, with warm sea surface temperatures near and low vertical wind, with the disturbance located about to Diego Garcia south. On the same day, the JTWC issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system and by 21:00 UTC JTWC subsequently initiated advisories on the system and classified it Tropical Cyclone 13S. The next day, the system organized into a tropical disturbance. The system continued organizing, and at 12:00 UTC, MFR upgraded the system to a tropical depression. By the 17th of February, the Météo-France La Réunion (MFR) reported that the system had become a moderate tropical storm and the Sub-Regional Tropical Cyclone Advisory Center in Mauritius named it Emnati. On February 18, at 00:00 UTC the MFR marked Cyclone Emnati as a Severe Tropical Storm. Just three hours later, the JTWC upgraded Emnati to a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHWS). Due to more favorable conditions, the Emnati intensified to a tropical cyclone. One day later, classified by JTWC as a category 2 tropical cyclone. At 12:00 UTC, February 20, the cyclone reached its peak intensity as the JTWC upgraded to a category 4 tropical cyclone. The cyclone then weakened slowly due to an eyewall replacement cycle, and made landfall on February 23 as a category 1 tropical cyclone over Madagascar. Late on February 24, the JTWC issued their final warning on the system. ==Preparations==

on 22 February Mauritius A Class 4 warning was issued as the storm passed north of the island. Réunion A Red alert was declared in Réunion Island. Madagascar Red, yellow, and green alerts were issued as the cyclone neared the island. Saturated grounds from Batsirai's effects earlier were expected to worsen potential rainfall damages. Very heavy rain was forecasted, with over falling in the projected landfall area. Flash flooding, and mudslides were warned. A dire humanitarian situation in Madagascar was feared to worsen with Emnati's arrival. In response to the cyclone's passing, the IFRC had sought additional funds for relief efforts. The Secretary General of Malagasy Red Cross said the storm was a "double tragedy". Humanitarian partners and other response teams were placed on Madagascar to help after the storm's landfall. Stocks of food and non-food items were also saved for those affected, mostly pre-positioned in Mananjary and Manakara. Planes and boats were also identified to help facilitate rapid damage assessments. More than 30,000 people were moved to safety areas prior to landfall. ==Impact==

Mauritius Electric wires and trees were pulled out of the ground in some places. Gusts of were recorded on the island, along with some flooding and toppled structures. Réunion Heavy rain caused flooding in many coastal areas. No deaths have been reported, and overall effects and damage was less than anticipated. 7,000 homes were out of power when the storm passed, and 3,400 suffered water cuts. Schools closed on 21 February due to the cyclone, as well as several roads. Madagascar The storm had struck the country only 18 days after Batsirai. Emnati made landfall in the country on midnight, 22 February, with winds of . As of now, there have been 15 reported deaths from the storm in Madagascar. Houses flooded, and the roofs of houses were said to be torn off. Electricity and water was also cut off from several communities. A stretch of road was washed away by heavy rain. The threat of a famine was feared to be worsened due to Emnati's effects on agriculture. Tropical cyclone model from the African Risk Capacity estimated the damage of Emnati at US$54.4 million. ==See also==