Due to present dry air and wind shear, the storm had struggled to intensify significantly, and it became a category 1-equivalent on the Saffir-Simpson Scale later.

After it managed to close off its core from prohibiting factors, the storm quickly intensified into a category 4-equivalent days later, forming a small eye around its CDO.

Emnati then underwent a lengthy eyewall replacement cycle, which strongly weakened the storm as it moved closer to Madagascar.

Emnati initially developed as a zone of disturbed weather where it moved westward over the open waters in the Indian Ocean.

Environmental conditions were assessed as being marginally conducive for tropical cyclogenesis, with warm sea surface temperatures near 28 °C (82 °F) and low vertical wind, with the disturbance located about 420 nautical miles (780 km; 480 mi) to Diego Garcia south.

Just three hours later, the JTWC upgraded Emnati to a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Saffir–Simpson scale (SSHWS).

[12][13] Saturated grounds from Batsirai's effects earlier were expected to worsen potential rainfall damages.

[13] Floodwaters from various areas of 4-8 inch rainfall were expected to be accentuated by Madagascar's mountainous terrain as well, and storm surge and wind impacts were feared to be widespread.

Communities within Vohipeno and Midongy-Atsimo districts were inundated by Emnati due to nearby rivers flooding.

[27] Tropical cyclone model from the African Risk Capacity estimated the damage of Emnati at US$54.4 million.