The 1980âÂÂ81 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an average cyclone season.
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On November 3, a low-pressure area developed off the southwest coast of Sumatra in the Australian basin. The BoM upgraded the low to Tropical Cyclone Alice two days later, which was intensifying while moving west-southwestward, steered by the subtropical ridge to its south. Alice attained a peak intensity of in the Australian basin on November 7. While in the region, the cyclone's high waves capsized two boats. The crew of the Sing Long No. 21 escaped in two life rafts; a freighter rescued one raft, but the other was lost, with 12 crew members aboard.
Cyclone Alice crossed 90ú E on November 9, and 85ú E a day later, whereupon the MMS renamed the storm as Adelaide, estimating winds of at least . The JTWC estimated maximum sustained winds of at that time. Adelaide soon began a weakening trend, falling below tropical cyclone status on November 11. A day later, the storm turned to the west-northwest, steered by a ridge to the south. Adelaide weakened to a tropical depression on November 13, and was no longer classifiable a tropical cyclone by a day later.
Bettina formed on November 22, over the central Indian Ocean. It moved south-southwestward and reached a peak intensity of on November 26. It made landfall as a tropical storm over Mozambique and weakened shortly after on December 1.
Formed on November 24 over the open Indian Ocean it moved in a mostly southwest direction, though it did curve a few times. It reached a peak intensity of and a pressure of on November 29. Christelle made landfall on Madagascar on December 9 as a tropical depression.
Diana existed from December 17 to December 19.
Edwige brushed Madagascar.
Toward the beginning of January, the ITCZ was active to the northeast of Madagascar, spawning a circulation east of Agalega that became a depression on January 3. On the next day, the system was named Florine. Steered between a ridge to its northwest and northeast, the system moved erratically until January 5, when Florine began a steady movement to the south and later southwest. The change in trajectory was because the ridge to Florine's northeast had weakened. On January 6, the intensifying storm passed just west of St. Brandon, where a station recorded sustained winds of and gusts of . A day later, the outer eyewall of Florine moved across Réunion island, while the center of the eye passed 25 km east of Sainte-Rose. Roland Garros Airport recorded a minimum pressure of , the lowest on the island. A landfall was spared due to a shift in trajectory to the south-southeast caused by a passing cold front. Also around this time, the cyclone reached its peak intensity according to the JTWC; the agency estimated peak winds of , based on a Dvorak rating of 5.5. The MFR estimated peak 10 minute winds of . Florine weakened as it accelerated ahead of a polar trough, and was no classifiable as a tropical cyclone on January 10. The remnants passed west of ÃÂle Amsterdam on the next day and continued southeastward.
Florine's close passage to Réunion caused injuries to two people. The high winds, peaking at at Plaine des Cafres, affected the island alongside heavy rainfall. Precipitation totals ranged from near the coast to at Foc-Foc. High tides reached at the coast in La Possession. Cyclone Florine destroyed crops and 95 houses. It caused injuries to two people and left around 500 people homeless. The storm knocked down 2000 phone lines and caused disruptions to the power network. Cilaos and Salazie became isolated during the storm, requiring assistance by helicopter. In nearby Mauritius, winds peaked at .
Gaelle existed from January 14 to January 18.
On January 31, Tropical Depression Helyette passed north of Rodrigues, and the next day moved over Mauritius and just southeast of Réunion. The highest wind gust was at Fort William on Mauritius. Helyette made landfall in Madagascar.
Iadine also made landfall in Madagascar.
Johanne existed from March 1 to March 11. On March 6, Tropical Storm Johanne passed between Réunion and Mauritius while passing southeastward, with respective island rainfall totals of . The highest wind gust was at Mon Desert Alma on Mauritius.
Klara existed from March 28 to April 8.
Lisa existed from April 6 to April 16.
For several days, Lisa looped to the north of the Mascarene Islands, coming within of Mauritius on April 9. For several the storm dropped rainfall on the islands, reaching in Mauritius and on Réunion. Flooding caused road damage in the latter island.