The fourth named storm of the 2002–03 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season, Delfina formed off the northwest coast of Madagascar on December 30, 2002.

The storm damaged roads and bridges, which disrupted relief efforts in the aftermath, and floods destroyed widespread areas of crops in the midst of an ongoing food shortage.

At 1100 UTC on December 30, 2002, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC)[nb 1] noted in its Significant Tropical Weather Outlook that an area of convection persisted in the Mozambique Channel off the northwest coast of Madagascar.

[5] While approaching the Mozambique coastline, Delfina quickly intensified, developing en eye feature and reaching maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 100 km/h (65 mph).

[11] The cyclone destroyed over 2,000 ha (4,900 acres) of beans and cassava crops and knocked down thousands of cashew trees,[11] in areas already affected by food shortages due to drought conditions.

[14] After Delfina moved through Mozambique, the local Red Cross chapter provided shelter, water, and relief items to the affected residents.

[11] Residual flooding in northern Mozambique, compounded with lack of drinking water, caused a cholera outbreak that affected at least 400 people.

[14] Government officials deployed food to the affected areas by airplane and by road, after workers repaired damaged bridges.

[10][18] Delfina killed eight people in Malawi,[3] prompting President Bakili Muluzi to declare the country as a disaster area on January 11.

[17] The damaged rail line that initially prevented relief supplies from entering the country was repaired in early February.