 The MFR did not track any tropical depressions before January , making Alinina in January the first official storm of the season . However , there was an earlier tropical depression that originated as a low pressure area on January 1 near Tromelin Island . It was a large system that spread rainfall between Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands for several days . By January 2 , the depression consisted of a circulation with spiral rainbands about 150 km ( 95 mi ) west of Tromelin . The system moved southward without intensifying much , and it passed about 130 km ( 80 mi ) west of Réunion on January 4 . While near the island , the depression dropped heavy rainfall that broke 24 ‑ hour totals at 10 locations , peaking at 600 mm ( 24 in ) at Dos d 'Âne . The system intensified slightly afterward , although it turned to the east due to a ridge to the south and was no longer tracked after January 6 . In Madagascar , the heavy rainfall led to flooding around the capital Antananarivo , displacing 40 @,@ 220 people . The floodwaters covered rice fields and entered houses , killing two people . Local Red Cross offices provided shelter and food to victims . 
