The cyclone moved southwestward for much of its duration, striking Mauritius on 10 February at peak intensity with winds of 218 km/h (135 mph).

Based on analysis from Météo-France (MFR), a disturbance in the Indian Ocean Intertropical Convergence Zone became evident south of the Chagos Archipelago on 6 February, after Cyclone Geralda struck Madagascar and moved away from the region.

On 8 February, the system intensified into Tropical Storm Hollanda as it moved southwestward, its motion influenced by a ridge to its south.

[1] After becoming a tropical cyclone, Hollanda developed a small 20 km (12 mi) eye as it tracked toward the island of Mauritius, located east of Madagascar.

[2] While moving over Mauritius, the eye became disrupted, although Hollanda maintained much of its intensity as it passed just southeast of Réunion early on 11 February.

[1] Before Hollanda struck Mauritius, most people were already residing at home, due to the cyclone striking during the Chinese New Year.

[5] Ultimately, Cyclone Hollanda made landfall at peak intensity, producing wind gusts of 216 km/h (134 mph) in Mauritius's capital city of Port Louis.

[4] Included among the damaged buildings was the Russian embassy, which faced such difficulties making repairs that the ambassadors moved their offices.

[16] Although the cyclone did not strike the island of Réunion, Hollanda produced strong wind gusts that peaked at 234 km/h (145 mph) in Sainte-Rose.

The cyclone left damage to crops, power systems, telephones, and the water network, mostly due to the strong winds.