In the aftermath, disaster relief came from both the government of Madagascar and the international community, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs); the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs assisted in the distribution of about $450,000 in monetary donations.

A meteorological rarity, Bonita continued inland for several days, persisting as a distinct tropical low; the system traversed southern Africa and ultimately entered the South Atlantic Ocean.

Cyclone Bonita originated from a weak area of disturbed weather observed about 600 km (370 mi) to the east of Diego Garcia, in the Chagos Archipelago, on 31 December 1995.

The system was marked by a distinct low-level circulation and curved banding features,[1] and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) promptly began monitoring it.

On 3 January, the low pressure center showed initial signs of strengthening,[1] prompting Météo-France to declare it a tropical disturbance, the lowest of seven distinct intensity categories used by the agency.

Tracking about 225 km (140 mi) north of Mauritius, Bonita reached its peak intensity—as assessed by Météo-France—with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and a central barometric air pressure of 920 hPa (27 inHg).

[5] It remained a strong tropical cyclone as it approached the eastern coast of Madagascar, making landfall near Mahavelona on the night of 10 January local time,[6] or about 21:30 UTC.

[3] With an expansive circulation and a good structure, the cyclone made its second and final landfall over the Zambezia Province of Mozambique, between Quelimane and Pebane District, on the night of 13 January local time.

[6] Although the cyclone's "best track" listings by both Météo-France and the JTWC end at 0600 UTC on 15 January,[2][3] its residual tropical low remained distinct and active as it continued generally westward across the southern African continent.

For the next two days, the weakening storm remained prominent on satellite imagery, ultimately moving off the coast of Angola and entering the South Atlantic Ocean on 19 January.

According to a paper published by the Zambia Meteorological Department, Bonita was the first tropical cyclone known to have traversed southern Africa from the South-West Indian Ocean to the South Atlantic.

A malnutrition rehabilitation center was established in Mahavelona as part of the program, which cost approximately $1.2 million (1996 USD) in total, and funded partially by the United Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA).

At the end of February, the Government of Madagascar requested international aid; by 6 March, France and Germany had donated a combined $100,000 in assistance funds, as well as emergency supplies worth nearly $80,000.

[14] Immediately following the cyclone's onslaught, concerns arose amongst relief agencies and NGOs that the storm was either too early in the season or not damaging enough to dedicate a significant portion of disaster funds.