The 2003–04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season was one of the longest on record and featured the most intense tropical cyclone, Cyclone Gafilo. The season began in September and continued until late May, with a total of ten named storms. Several of these storms caused significant damage and loss of life, including Beni, Cela, Darius, Elita, and Frank. Cyclone Gafilo struck northeast Madagascar, destroying the town of Antalaha and leaving over 300,000 people homeless. In addition, two storms from the Australian basin crossed into the South-West Indian Ocean and were renamed Helma and Itseng. The season was closely monitored by the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre in Réunion. During the 2003-04 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Météo-France tracked 16 tropical disturbances, 10 of which became tropical storms and were named. Five of those storms reached tropical cyclone status with winds of at least 120 km/h. The season lasted from September to May, with storms originating near the Chagos Archipelago and some having unusual trajectories. The final storm, Juba, was one of the latest named storms on record. On September 28, a tropical disturbance formed west of the Chagos Archipelago. It developed into a tropical depression on September 29 and was named Moderate Tropical Storm Abaimba on October 1. However, it weakened into a tropical depression the next day and dissipated on October 6. Intense Tropical Cyclone Beni formed in the South-West Indian Ocean in November 2003. It initially intensified and reached peak intensity, but quickly weakened due to increased wind shear. Beni then re-intensified temporarily before weakening again and dissipating to the southeast of Madagascar. Heavy rainfall occurred on the eastern side of Réunion as a result of the storm. In early December, Tropical Cyclone Cela formed near Diego Garcia and moved southwestward. It initially struggled to develop due to dry air, but eventually intensified into a moderate tropical storm. After making landfall in Madagascar, the storm weakened and emerged into the Mozambique Channel as a weak tropical disturbance. It re-intensified near Juan de Nova Island and attained tropical cyclone status. Cela's intensity fluctuated over the next few days before transitioning into an extratropical cyclone and dissipating on December 22. Throughout its path, the storm brought heavy rainfall to Madagascar, with some areas receiving over 300 mm of precipitation.

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