The eighth tropical system and seventh named storm of the 2017–18 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Fakir originated from an area of disturbed weather that developed north-northeast of Madagascar on 20 April 2018.

It rapidly intensified while moving quickly south-southeastwards despite the presence of hostile wind shear, and reached its peak intensity early on 24 April, hours before passing just east of Réunion.

Fakir succumbed to the wind shear shortly after and weakened as quickly as it had strengthened, becoming a post-tropical cyclone on 25 April.

Strong, gusty winds and floods and landslides resulting from heavy rains occurred across Réunion from 25 to 26 April, causing severe damage to agriculture and infrastructure.

Floods and mudslides affected buildings and public facilities all over Réunion, bringing about significant property damage and racking up large repair costs.

On 20 April, Météo-France La Réunion (MFR) began to monitor an area of disturbed weather, characterized by a large clockwise surface circulation, to the north-northeast of Madagascar.

[6][nb 1] At the time, the system was moving quickly south-southeast, steered by a ridge to its east and an upper-level trough to its west.

[4] Fakir continued to intensify over the next few hours and developed a central dense overcast, aided by significant upper-level divergence over its southern half.

Fakir passed just 20 km (12 mi) off the eastern coast of Réunion at 05:00 UTC, where a weather station reported a minimum pressure of 981 hPa (28.97 inHg).

[4][13] These thunderstorms soon dissipated too as dry air associated with the upper-level trough to the west was driven into the circulation by the strong wind shear, while sea surface temperatures decreased along the cyclone's path.

[4] Tropical cyclones passing close to Réunion in 2018, including Ava, Berguitta, Dumazile, and Fakir, caused a large reduction in the amount of mid- to upper-level clouds over the island.

[16] A combination of the Madden–Julian oscillation and tropical cyclones Dumazile, Eliakim, and Fakir resulted in a westward flow of moisture, causing severe rainfall over Kenya during March and April 2018.

[17][18][19] Fakir brought wind and rain to the island of Réunion, causing flooding and mudslides which impacted travel.

Electrical wires were downed in Bois-des-Amourettes, and power poles were felled in St-Pierre, Bois des Amourettes, Mahébourg, and Belle-Mare.

[23] Twelve waste and recycling centers were closed, and the Kar'Ouest transportation system was disrupted due to severe weather.

[33] In that town, one farm lost two melon greenhouses worth €30,000 (US$35,300) collectively, and 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft) of chilli fields were destroyed.

Although electricity had been restored in high voltage lines, a borehole was still offline, leaving at least half the homes in the area without water.

In Sainte-Suzanne, dormitories and classrooms at the Hippolyte Foucque college experienced flood damage, resulting in classes being canceled on 25 April.

[49][50] A Class II cyclone warning was issued for the island of Mauritius at 10 p.m. local time on 23 April, while Fakir was 510 km (320 mi) to the northwest.

[52] Fakir passed 130 km (81 mi) west-southwest of Le Morne Brabant at about 10 a.m. on 24 April, representing its closest approach to the island.

The highest gust in relation to Fakir was 112 km/h (70 mph) at Beaux-Songes, and a peak 24-hour rainfall total of 105 mm (4.1 in) was recorded at Riche-en-Eau.

[38] At least four months following Fakir, most of the fishermen in Sainte-Rose were unable to return to sea due to a lack of funds to repair their damaged vessels.

[60] After Fakir, MP David Lorion requested that the Réunion Prefecture Government and the Minister of the Overseas establish a disaster relief fund to repair damage sustained from tropical cyclones throughout the 2017–18 season.

[42] After five successive cyclones affected the island, the Communist Party of Réunion held meetings to discuss reforming construction standards and reassess areas under risk.

[71] Residents sought legal action, expressing concern that the work impeded their properties because it caused a deviation in the river that directed it towards their homes.

[72] A small protest broke out in Pamplemousses, Mauritius, over alleged failure by the authorities to hand out allowances to disaster victims.

[76] The FDSEA organization in Saint-André offered €25 (US$29) in aid per 1 m2 (11 sq ft) of land for farmers who suffered losses after Fakir.

[34] The prefecture promised at least €2,000 (US$2,400) per 1 hectare (2.5 acres) in relief funds for farmers affected by tropical cyclones during the 2017–18 season.