Cyclone Gamede

The Intertropical Convergence Zone was active across the Indian Ocean in the middle of February 2007, which spawned a low-pressure area southeast of Diego Garcia on February 18. The system developed convection, or thunderstorms, over a weak, but well-defined low-level circulation. The MFR first began tracking the system as a tropical disturbance on February 19. An anticyclone over the nascent system provided weak wind shear and outflow to the north and east, both favorable conditions for development. With a subtropical ridge to its south, the disturbance tracked generally westward for the first few days of its duration. On the next day, the MFR upgraded the depression to Moderate Tropical Storm Gamede, and the JTWC began issuing advisories on the storm as Tropical Cyclone 15S. At that time, the storm was located about south-southwest of Diego Garcia, or about northeast of Rodrigues. The MFR upgraded Gamede to tropical cyclone status on February 23, noting that the system was "very broad". Soon after, the cyclone moved over St. Brandon, one of the Outer Islands of Mauritius; the island recorded a minimum barometric pressure of , and estimated the eyewall diameter at . Instead, a passing trough steered the system to the south-southwest. On February 27, Gamede passed west of Réunion, about halfway between the island and Madagascar. This trend was temporary, as cooler waters and stronger wind shear began affecting Gamede on March 1, leaving the center exposed from the convection. That day, the MFR downgraded Gamede to a severe tropical storm. On March 2, the JTWC discontinued advisories, and the MFR reclassified the storm as an extratropical cyclone. A ridge to its south caused the remnants of Gamede to slow again and execute a small loop southeast of Madagascar. The MFR discontinued advisories on March 4, and the agency tracked the weakening low for two more days at it drifted westward. == Preparations ==

On St. Brandon, the meteorological staff on the island rode out the storm in the Coast Guard office. Fishermen were banned from sailing out to sea. == Impact ==

With its large circulation, Cyclone Gamede's rainbands affected islands in the south-west Indian Ocean for several days. The storm first affected St. Brandon, where its high tides caused severe beach erosion. The cyclone produced wind gusts of over , strong enough to damage window panes and part of an anemometer. Rainfall on the island reached . Gamede passed south of Agaléga, dropping of rainfall over a four-day period. The storm's rainfall reached on Rodrigues. Gamede lashed Madagascar's east coast with squalls of heavy rainfall and gusty winds, affecting areas struck by Tropical Storm Clovis two months earlier. Gamede had followed shortly after Tropical Cyclones Bondo, Clovis, and Favio, being the fourth tropical cyclone to impact Madagascar in two months. High waves also struck the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal, forcing the temporary closure of beaches, roads, and the Port of Durban. Mauritius Remaining near the Mascarene Islands for several days, Gamede dropped heavy rainfall on Mauritius, reaching . Winds on the island reached at Fort Williams in Port Louis. one of whom drowned in high waves. The storm damaged crops and infrastructure, with power knocked out to 70% of the island's population. Réunion The large size of the cyclone resulted in several days of very heavy, continuous rainfall in the mountainous region on Réunion island. The heaviest totals occurred from February 24 through February 28, A peak wind gust of was reported on the island. Two people died on the island after attempting to cross rivers during the storm. including two who were seriously injured. High floodwaters damaged a dyke along the north bank of the Rivière des Galets. ==Aftermath and records==

On June 13, 2007, the government of France provided a relief fund to Réunion of €17.6 million (2007 EUR) in aid, including €9.6 million for farmers affected by the cyclone. The assistance provided €7.7 million for repairing roads and infrastructure, including rebuilding the destroyed bridge over the Saint Etienne River. The replacement bridge was opened in June 2013. Réunion island is the location for several tropical cyclone rainfall records; due to the orography of the island, tropical moisture will travel upward to the volcanic peaks, where it cools and codifies into rainfall. Commerson Crater, located at an elevation of , == See also ==