 Firinga developed on January 24 well to the northeast of Mauritius . After initially moving to the southeast , it began a southwest motion that it would continue for several days . During that time , the system intensified into Moderate Tropical Storm Firinga , and the JTWC upgraded it to the equivalent of a minimal hurricane on January 28 . Early the next day , it intensified to tropical cyclone status , reaching peak winds of 135 km / h ( 85 mph ) . Around that time , Firinga passed 50 km ( 30 mi ) west of Mauritius , producing 190 km / h ( 120 mph ) wind gusts . Shortly thereafter , the cyclone struck Réunion , still at peak intensity , producing wind gusts as strong as 216 km / h ( 134 mph ) . Firinga turned more to the south as it weakened , degenerating into a tropical disturbance on January 31 . It fluctuated in intensity after turning to the southeast and executing a loop to the southwest , dissipating on February 7 . 
