1972–73 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season

The 1972–73 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was an above-average cyclone season. The season officially ran from November 1, 1972, to April 30, 1973.

Severe Tropical Storm Ariane
Ariana passed north of Mauritius and later executed a loop southeast of the island. The storm brought heavy rainfall and wind gusts of 92 km/h.

Moderate Tropical Storm Charlotte
Charlotte passed just southwest of Réunion on January 8, producing 102 km/h wind gusts, as well as heavy rainfall reaching 813 mm at Riviere de L'Est. The rains damaged crops and flooded roads, which killed one person due to drowning.

Moderate Tropical Storm Dorothee
Dorothee produced a series of thunderstorms on Réunion while the storm passed to the southwest.

Intense Tropical Cyclone Leila–Gertrude
Cyclone Gertrude brushed eastern Rodrigues on January 31, producing 169 km/h, as well as 296.4 mm of rainfall.

Severe Tropical Storm Hortense
On February 2, Hortense passed south of Réunion, bringing rainfall to the island.

Tropical Cyclone Jessy
On February 21, Jessy struck Rodrigues, bringing heavy rainfall and 221 km/h wind gusts, causing power outages.

Severe Tropical Storm Kitty
On March 1, Kitty struck Rodrigues, causing power outages.

Very Intense Tropical Cyclone Lydie
This is the first "Very intense tropical cyclone" in the South-West Indian Ocean.

On March 10, Lydie passed west of Réunion, producing wind gusts of 162 km/h in the mountainous peaks. For four days, the storm dropped heavy rainfall on the island, reaching 655 mm. Flooding killed 10 people on the island, and caused crop damage.

Tropical Cyclone Roma
Cyclone Roma existed from April 18 to April 23.