at Plaine des Cafres in the mountainous peaks. Most parts of the island did not receive much rain, with the exception of mountainous peaks due to orographic lift, particularly after the center passed to the west. Pas de Bellecombe at an elevation of reported over 48 hours. The rains caused flooding and some landslides, which washed away one house and killed two people. Ando also damaged crops and killed several livestock. The highest wave recorded was in La Possession. High waves injured several people, several of whom required rescue from lifeguards. Tropical Cyclone Bindu On January 2, an area of convection persisted in the eastern portion of the ITCZ in the Australian basin, located northwest of Cocos Island, or about 1165 km (625 mi) southwest of Sumatra. With a ridge to the south, the system moved generally westward. A nearby ship confirmed that a circulation formed, and on January 3, it crossed 90°E into the south-west Indian Ocean as a tropical disturbance. With easterly wind shear, the system initially remained weak, but convection increased and organized on January 5. On the next day, the disturbance intensified into a tropical depression, although the circulation was still exposed from the thunderstorms at that time. After turning to the southwest, wind shear decreased, and the depression became Moderate Tropical Storm Bindu on January 7. On the same day, the JTWC also initiated advisories as Tropical Cyclone 05S. Moving around the ridge to the south, Bindu slowly intensified, developing outflow and improved rainbands. Early on January 9, the MFR upgraded the storm to tropical cyclone status as an eye 19 km (12 mi) in diameter formed. The next day, Bindu weakened due to increased wind shear, causing the circulation to be exposed from the convection and for the cyclone to be downgraded into a severe tropical storm. The building ridge caused the storm to slow and turn back to the west. After the formerly hostile shear relaxed, Bindu became a tropical cyclone again on January 11, redeveloping an eye. On the next day, the MFR estimated peak 10 minute winds of 150 km/h (90 mph), while the JTWC estimated maximum 1 minute winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). By that time, the cyclone had turned back to the south-southwest. Drier air and wind shear resulted in weakening, and Bindu was downgraded to a severe tropical storm on January 14. At 18:00 UTC the next