Europe 1 with AFP 5:28 p.m., February 09, 2022

19 municipalities in Réunion affected by tropical cyclone Batsirai have been classified as in a situation of natural disaster, announced the Minister for Overseas Territories, Sébastien Lecornu.

In addition, 1,600 customers remain without electricity out of the 72,000 registered at the end of the red alert on Saturday.

The drinking water supply has been restored and schools have reopened.

The Minister of Overseas, Sébastien Lecornu, announced Wednesday before the Senate that 19 municipalities of Reunion had been classified in a situation of natural disaster after the passage of cyclone Batsirai.

>> READ ALSO -

 Cyclone Batsirai: 10,000 people still without electricity in Reunion

24 files studied

In total, 24 files were studied after the "numerous" material damage caused by the gusts of the cyclone which skirted the coasts of the Indian island on February 3 and 4, according to the minister.

“The municipalities that could not be the subject of this classification will see their file even instructed at an upcoming Batsirai meeting,” said Sébastien Lecornu.

In addition, on the agricultural calamity component, "the files are being finalized", assured the minister who must go to the Meeting from February 12 to 15.

As for the Mauritian oil tanker Tresta Star, stranded on the south coast of the island during the storm, "the first expert missions took place and revealed traces of hydrocarbons which are linked to previous transport of heavy fuel oil and therefore we have obviously given formal notice to the shipowner", indicated the minister.

"The first cleaning and pumping operations will take place", a specialized boat will be "soon on site", he said.

>> READ ALSO -

 "It looked like Hiroshima": in Madagascar, the shock of the inhabitants after the passage of Batsirai

Another 1,600 homes without electricity

The eleven sailors on board the tanker, which was sailing empty, had been recovered after a complicated rescue operation in stormy seas.

In addition, if the road sector and the airport are functioning normally again, 1,600 customers remain without electricity out of the 72,000 registered at the end of the red alert on Saturday.

The drinking water supply has been restored and schools have reopened.