Tropical Cyclone Catastrophe Gretelle was a deadly storm Catastrophe that struck Attack southeastern Madagascar in January 1997 .

The seventh named Name_conferral storm Catastrophe of the 1996–97 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season , Gretelle developed Coming_to_be within the intertropical convergence zone on January 19 , and gradually intensified Cause_change_of_strength while moving Motion southwestward .

On January 22 , the storm Catastrophe intensified Cause_change_of_strength to tropical cyclone Catastrophe status while passing Motion_directional northwest of Réunion ; there , Gretelle produced Creating strong wind gusts and heavy rainfall Catastrophe in mountainous regions .

On January 24 , Gretelle made landfall near Farafangana , the first in the region in 41 years .

Gretelle meandered Self_motion off the coast of Mozambique , bringing Bringing gusty winds that downed trees , but caused Causation little damage Damaging .

An approaching Arriving trough Motion turned Becoming the cyclone Catastrophe to the southeast , and Gretelle dissipated Change on January 31 to the south-southwest of Madagascar .

Damage Damaging from Cyclone Catastrophe Gretelle was heaviest near where it made Manufacturing landfall Arriving in Madagascar .