(Posted 15th January 2024)
Authorities have closed the international airport on the island of Mauritius with immediate effect for all incoming and outgoiong flights.
A cyclone warning class 3 is in effect as of 16.00 hrs local time today:
At 16h00, the Tropical Cyclone Belal was centred at about 130 km almost to the west south west of Le Morne near latitude 21.2 degrees south and longitude 56.2 degrees east. It is moving towards the east-south-east at a speed of about 14 km/h.
On this trajectory Belal is dangerously approaching Mauritius and it represents a threat for Mauritius. The radius of cyclonic winds is likely to cross the southern part of the island and Belal is expected to pass at its closest distance of 70 km to the south of the island early tomorrow morning.
Active cloud bands associated with Belal are still crossing the island giving rainy and gusty weather.
As such, cyclonic conditions may still be felt in the coming hours.
A cyclone warning class III is in force in Mauritius.
The public in Mauritius is advised to maintain all precautions and stay in a safe place.
Active clouds associated with Belal will continue to influence weather over the island.
Weather will be overcast with heavy intermittent rain and thunderstorm which will become more frequent.
These heavy rainfall will cause water accumulations and flooding in several places.
The public is strictly advised to:
1. remain in safe places and avoid open areas, hikings and sheltering under trees during thunderstorms.
2. avoid places prone to water accumulation, river banks and other water courses which may be flooded and certain mountain slopes prone to landslide.
3. be very cautious on the roads due to reduced visibility resulting from heavy rains and fog patches.
Wind will blow from the north-north-east at a speed of about 50 km/h with gust of the order of 110 km/h.
Sea will be phenomenal with swells of 8 to 10 metres beyond the reefs. Storm surge will cause coastal inundation to the north, west and south .
It is strictly advised not to go at sea and to avoid venturing along beaches.
A cyclone warning class III is in force in Mauritius.
The next bulletin will be issued before 19h10.
Air Seychelles has also notified passengers booked to fly with them from Mahe to Mauritius and back, that the flights scheduled for today have been cancelled and initially been rebooked for tomorrow, 16th January, although that is subject to change should the airport on Mauritius remain closed.
Meanwhile has the French island of Reunion suffered a direct hit from Cyclone Belal and reports are coming in of flooding, damages to infrastructure and air traffic was also grounded.
Residents of Reunion were told by authorities to stay at home or seek shelter in officially designated places but not to venture out of their homes and neighbourhoods.
