Tropical Cyclone Faraji strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean southeast of Diego Garcia on Sunday. At 4:00 a.m. EST on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Faraji was located at latitude 14.9°S and longitude 80.0°E which put it about 735 miles (1185 km) southeast of Diego Garcia. Faraji was moving toward the east-southeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 944 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane during the past 24 hours. A circular eye with a diameter of 28 miles (44 km) formed at the center of Faraji. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of the circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Faraji was very symmetrical. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Faraji. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 120 miles (195 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Faraji was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Index (HWISI) was 33.3.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move through an environment capable of supporting strong tropical cyclones for several more days. Faraji will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Faraji will likely continue to be the equivalent of a major hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the southeastern Indian Ocean. The high will steer Faraji toward the east during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Faraji will move farther away from Diego Garcia.