Mauritius Braces for Tropical Cyclone Amidst Heavy Flooding

Mauritius experienced heavy flooding as it faced the imminent threat of a tropical cyclone that had already battered the French overseas territory of Reunion. Images shared by local media depicted cars submerged and swept away by floodwaters inundating the streets.

In response to the impending cyclone, the international airport in Mauritius announced its closure from 4:30 pm (1230 GMT) until further notice. Banks, government offices, and private businesses also suspended operations, sending their employees home.

The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) issued a class 3 cyclone warning, indicating a significant threat out of four possible levels. They urged the public to seek shelter, warning of “torrential rain conditions” expected in the coming hours.

As of 1:00 pm, the cyclone, named Belal, was approximately 170 kilometers (105 miles) west of Le Morne, situated in the southwest of the island. It was moving east-southeast at a speed of about 12 kilometers per hour.

The MMS cautioned that Belal was “dangerously approaching Mauritius” and posed a significant threat. Rainfall was expected to lead to water accumulations and flooding in various areas, with a risk of storm surges and inundation along low-lying coastal regions.

Mauritius, known for its stunning white beaches and crystal-clear waters, is a popular tourist destination. However, the island frequently faces tropical storms and cyclones, with about a dozen occurring each year in the southwest Indian Ocean during the November-April season.

In February of the previous year, Mauritius was hit by Cyclone Freddy, which brought heavy rains and high winds, resulting in fatalities and destruction across southeastern Africa, including Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar.

With the anticipation of heavy rains and potential flooding, schools in Mauritius have been closed to ensure the safety of students and residents. Nearby Réunion Island, which had already been hit by Tropical Cyclone Belal, was placed on the highest cyclone alert level, with authorities urging residents to stay indoors, and emergency services ceasing operations.

Tragically, the extreme weather conditions have already claimed lives in both Réunion and Mauritius, with a homeless man found dead in Réunion’s Saint-Gilles resort village, and a 75-year-old man drowned in the Mauritian village of Baie-du-Tombeau. Additionally, two surfers encountered the storm at sea in La Preneuse, western Mauritius, with one reaching the coast safely and the other reported as missing.