 On February 1 , a low @-@ pressure area formed within the monsoon trough to the south of Indonesia , which would eventually become Tropical Cyclone Leon in the Australian basin , as well as Tropical Cyclone 11S according to JTWC . The storm tracked westward across much of the Indian Ocean , fluctuating in strength due to changes in the atmosphere . After crossing 90 ° E , the MFR began tracking the system as Tropical Storm Eline on February 8 . The storm continued westward across the Indian Ocean and intensified greatly as it approached the east coast of Madagascar . Late on February 17 , Eline made landfall near Mahanoro with 10 ‑ minute winds of 165 km / h ( 105 mph ) , making it the strongest storm to hit the country in several decades . The storm rapidly weakened over land , but restrengthened in the Mozambique Channel to reach peak 10 ‑ minute winds of 185 km / h ( 115 mph ) . On February 22 , Eline made landfall about 80 km ( 50 mi ) south of Beira , Mozambique near peak intensity and quickly weakened over land . The well @-@ defined circulation moved across southern African , finally dissipating over eastern Namibia on February 29 . Throughout its duration , Leon – Eline lasted 29 days , a record longevity for a storm in the south @-@ west Indian Ocean . The track was over 11 @,@ 000 km ( 6 @,@ 800 mi ) , or about 25 % of the Earth 's circumference . 
