Cyclone Bingiza

{{storm path|Bingiza 2011 track.png}}

The origins of Cyclone Bingiza were from a persistent area of disorganized convection on 8 February, about {{convert|880|km|mi|abbr=on}} north-northeast of Réunion. At the time, the system consisted of a poorly defined circulation, located in an area of low wind shear.{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=8 February 2011 |title=Significant Tropical Weather Outlook |access-date=27 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ab/abio10.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808121248/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/ab/abio10.pgtw..txt |archive-date=8 August 2010 }} It moved west-southwestward along the northern periphery of a ridge, and its convection gradually became more organized over the center. On 9 February, Météo-France (MF) classified the system as Tropical Disturbance 5,{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=9 February 2011 |title=Tropical Disturbance 05 Warning Number 1 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} and six hours later upgraded it to a tropical depression.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=9 February 2011 |title=Tropical Depression 05 Warning Number 2 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Shortly thereafter, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) issued a tropical cyclone formation alert after convective banding and outflow increased.{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=9 February 2011 |title=Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert |access-date=27 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs21.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203132608/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs21.pgtw..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Following intensification of the depression into a moderate tropical storm, MF advised the Madagascan Weather Service to name the storm as Bingiza which they did late on February 9.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=9 February 2011 |title=Tropical Storm 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 3 |access-date=28 June 2011|url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio22.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130554/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio22.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }}{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=9 February 2011 |title=Tropical Cyclone 13S (Bingiza) Warning NR 001 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203132409/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }}

Upon becoming a tropical storm, Bingiza was located in an area of weak steering currents, which resulted in a slow, meandering motion toward the southwest. Its motion turned to the south on 10 February, with conditions only marginally favorable for further intensification.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=10 February 2011 |title=Moderate Tropical Storm 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 8 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} After two days of meandering without strengthening, Bingiza turned to the southwest on due to a building ridge to its southwest toward Madagascar.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=12 February 2011 |title=Moderate Tropical Storm 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 12 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Around the same time, upper-level conditions began improving, which allowed the convection to increase in coverage. Based on the improved appearance, MF upgraded Bingiza to a severe tropical storm at 06:00 UTC on 12 February about {{convert|335|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of the coast of Madagascar.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=12 February 2011 |title=Severe Tropical Storm 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 13 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Later that day an eye became apparent on satellite imagery,{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=12 February 2011 |title=Severe Tropical Storm 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 14 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} signaling the beginning of a rapid deepening trend. Late on 12 February, MF upgraded Bingiza to tropical cyclone intensity, which is the equivalent of a hurricane or typhoon. With minimal wind shear and warm waters, the agency forecast the cyclone to intensify further to peak 10–sustained winds of {{convert|195|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=12 February 2011 |title=Tropical Cyclone 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 15 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Continuing to strengthen, Bingiza attained 10 minute sustained winds of {{convert|155|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} early on 13 February.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=13 February 2011 |title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 16 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Similarly, the JTWC estimated peak 1-minute sustained winds of {{convert|185|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, noting a contracting eye {{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}} in diameter in the process of an eyewall replacement cycle.{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=13 February 2011 |title=Tropical Cyclone 13S (Bingiza) Warning NR 008 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203132409/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }}

Despite initial forecasts, the cyclone failed to strengthen further due to interaction with Madagascar.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=13 February 2011 |title=Intense Tropical Cyclone 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 17 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Early on 14 February, Bingiza made landfall along the Masoala Peninsula with winds of at least {{convert|150|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}. It emerged into the Antongil Bay,{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=2011-02-14 |title=Tropical Cyclone 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 21 |access-date=2011-06-28 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} before moving ashore north of Manambolosy. It quickly weakened over land, although it produced heavy rainfall along its northern periphery.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=2011-02-14 |title=Tropical Storm 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 22 |access-date=2011-06-28 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Early on 15 February, Bingiza weakened to a tropical depression.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=2011-02-15 |title=Overland Depression 05 (ex-Bingiza) Warning Number 24 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} The center became difficult to locate over land,{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=15 February 2011 |title=Overland Depression 05 (ex-Bingiza) Warning Number 26 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} although it emerged into the Mozambique Channel north of Besalampy as a tropical disturbance.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=16 February 2011 |title=Tropical Disturbance 05 (ex-Bingiza) Warning Number 28 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} After moving over waters, the system was able to re-intensify due to favorable water temperatures and inflow. It quickly organized into a tropical depression again,{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=2011-02-16 |title=Tropical Depression 05 (ex-Bingiza) Warning Number 29 |access-date=2011-06-28 |url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201102160648.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240521232835/https://www.webcitation.org/5wXarlS7V?url=http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/advisories/WTIO30-FMEE_201102160648.htm |archive-date=21 May 2024 }} although strengthening was halted after it turned southward over western Madagascar due to a ridge to its north.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=2011-02-16 |title=Overland Depression 05 (ex-Bingiza) Warning Number 29 |access-date=2011-06-28 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} It again moved into the Mozambique Channel, and Bingiza re-intensified into a tropical storm on 17 February. The storm developed a concentrated area of convection near the center, as well as a poorly defined eye.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=17 February 2011 |title=Moderate Tropical Storm 05 (Bingiza) Warning Number 33 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} The re-intensification was short-lived after Bingiza made its final landfall just south of Morondava around 13:30 UTC on 17 February.{{cite web|publisher=Météo-France |date=17 February 2011 |title=Overland Depression 05 (ex-Bingiza) Warning Number 35 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203130446/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtio30.fmee..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} Around that time, the storm's circulation was dissipating over land,{{cite web|publisher=Joint Typhoon Warning Center |date=17 February 2011 |title=Tropical Cyclone 13S (Bingiza) Warning NR 018 |access-date=28 June 2011 |url=http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203132409/http://weather.noaa.gov/pub/data/raw/wt/wtxs31.pgtw..txt |archive-date=3 December 2010 }} and its remnants left the island on 19 February, dissipating soon afterward.

File:Bingiza feb 14 2011 1035Z.jpg

When Bingiza made its first Madagascar landfall, it became the first cyclone to strike the country in the cyclone season. It first moved through the Masoala National Park, a sparsely-populated protected region with significant numbers of trees.{{cite web|author=Joe DeCapua, Voice of America|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=2011-02-15|title=Madagascar: Damage Assessments Underway After Cyclone Bingiza

|access-date=2011-06-28|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/388757}} In Vinanivao, located along the Masoala peninsula, the cyclone destroyed half of the buildings as well as the roads and bridges, leaving it only accessible by boat. The cyclone affected five districts, primarily Mananara Nord. There, an early report indicated that 80% of the houses were destroyed,{{cite web|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=2011-02-14|title=Cyclone Bingiza - Madagascar Situation Report #1|access-date=2011-06-28|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/388617}} along with one hospital and four other health facilities.{{cite web|author=UN Country Team in Madagascar|publisher=ReliefWeb|title=Cyclone Bingiza - Madagascar Situation Report #3|date=2011-02-21|access-date=2011-06-29|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/389512}} The high winds caused heavy crop damage, including to rice and banana, which left minimal food supplies in some areas. The vanilla crop was also severely affected, and the mayor of Mananara was uncertain whether any of the crop could be harvested. Bingiza struck at what one relief worker described as the "worst time of year for a cyclone", because many farmers were unable to replant their damaged crops.{{cite web|author=Integrated Regional Information Networks|date=2011-02-18|title=Madagascar: Cyclone Bingiza's legacy|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=2011-06-29|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/389071}} The cyclone damaged 40% of the food crops and 10% of the cash crops in Manambolosy, as well as 70% of the food crops in Antanambaobe. Overall, the cyclone destroyed {{convert|405.23|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of rice fields, as well as {{convert|101.67|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of other crops. The cyclone also damaged the road infrastructure in Mananara,{{cite web|author=CARE International|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=2011-02-18|title=Situation alarmante à Madagascar : la région nord-est ravagée par le cyclone Bingiza

|access-date=2011-06-28|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/389177|language=French}} which made it difficult to transport fish in the region to other areas of the country. The resulting crop and road damage resulted in increased food prices.

Across its path, Bingiza destroyed 25,464 houses and damaged 36 schools. Overall, the damage was less than expected, given the strength of the cyclone. Most of the damage occurred due to the poor infrastructure and drainage systems of Madagascar, along with high levels of poverty. A total of 34 deaths were reported,{{citation |mode=cs1 |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |date=September 2012 |access-date=17 February 2013 |title=RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee for the South-West Indian Ocean |edition=20 |chapter=Reports of Members on significant/notable cyclones of the seasons |location=Maputo, Mozambique |chapter-url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/ra1_tcc-20_final_report_en.pdf |pages=8–10}} along with 13 injuries.{{cite web|author=ACT Alliance|date=2011-03-18|title=Madagascar: Assistance to people affected by Tropical Cyclone Bingiza- MDG111|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=2011-06-29|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/392511}} When Bingiza made its final landfall, it produced five days of rainfall to a region already severely affected by flooding. In Vangaindrano district in southeastern Madagascar, the cyclone caused widespread flooding that isolated five villages, as well as covering fields of rice and other crops.{{cite web|author=Medair|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=2011-02-25|title=Madagascar: Severe flooding in southeast Madagascar threatens local population|access-date=2011-06-29|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/389841}} A total of 310 people in the southern portion of the country were left homeless.{{cite web|author=UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs|date=2011-03-02|title=Southern Africa Floods and Cyclones Situation Update# 7|access-date=2011-06-29|publisher=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/390318}}

Immediately after the storm moved ashore, high winds prevented disaster teams from assessing damage in the affected areas. By 18 February, CARE international had dispatched relief teams to the most affected regions. The teams distributed plastic tarps and food for 10,000 people. High winds halted locust-control operations, while heavy rainfall provided favorable breeding conditions.{{cite web|author=US Agency for International Development|date=2011-02-18|title=Madagascar locust update for the first dekad of February, 2011 and a forecast for the next dekads|publisher=ReliefWeb|access-date=2011-06-29|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/389198}} In the area of the cyclone's first landfall, most people were able to rebuild their houses using trees and supplies from the surrounding countryside. Overall, about 25,845 people became homeless due to the cyclone, although most were able to return to their homes after a few days after they were repaired.{{cite web|author=Integrated Regional Information Networks|date=2011-02-24|title=Madagascar: Picking up the pieces after Cyclone Bingiza|access-date=2011-06-29|publisher=ReliefWeb|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/389660}} In the months after the storm's passage, the European Commission allocated €200,000 ($287,000 USD) to CARE France for the storm victims.{{cite web|author=European Commission Humanitarian Aid department|date=2011-06-20|title=Madagascar Cyclone Season: The European Commission allocates €200,000 to bring relief to those most affected|access-date=2011-06-29|url=http://reliefweb.int/node/421174}}

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• Tropical cyclones in 2011
• Cyclone Indlala (2007)
• Cyclone Ivan (2008)
• Cyclone Enawo (2017)

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC/ Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809201922/http://www.usno.navy.mil/JTWC/ |date=9 August 2015 }}.
• [http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/La_Reunion/webcmrs9.0/anglais/index.html Météo France (RSMC La Réunion)].
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070421094952/http://www.wmo.int/index-en.html World Meteorological Organization]

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Bingiza

Bingiza