 Developing rainbands and a central dense overcast , the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Kesiny early on May 4 . Gradual intensification continued , although initially the convection remained dislocated to the west of the center . The circulation later moved beneath the thunderstorms , and a strengthening ridge turned Kesiny toward the west @-@ southwest . Late on May 5 , a ragged eye began forming within the convection , which was indicative of a strengthening storm . That day , MFR upgraded Kesiny to a severe tropical storm . Early on May 6 , the JTWC upgraded the storm to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane , with maximum 1 minute sustained winds of 120 km / h ( 75 mph ) . Around that time the outflow became pronounced to the north and south , although a decrease in outflow caused Kesiny to weaken . By May 7 , the circulation was exposed from the convection , and little re @-@ intensification was expected . By that time , the storm was located about 650 km ( 400 mi ) east of the northern tip of Madagascar . 
