Mauritius on high alert as cyclone Belal hits, motorcyclist dead

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: LAURA MOROSOLI / AFP 08:13, January 16, 2024, modified at 08:15, January 16, 2024

Mauritius was placed on high alert on Tuesday as Cyclone Belal swept through the small Indian Ocean country with torrential rains, causing widespread damage and leaving at least one person dead. The alert level on the island of 1.3 million inhabitants was raised to 4, the maximum level, in the passage of this cyclone which had previously hit Reunion Island and killed one person.

>> ALSO READ – Cyclone Belal in Reunion Island: red alert, purple alert... What are the differences?

Motorcyclist found dead on flooded highway

The government ordered all residents to stay at home, but the weather service said the storm was now moving east, away from the island nation. In Mauritius, thousands of people were left without electricity and many cars were submerged. The island was hit on Monday by torrential rains and winds recorded at more than 100 km/h.

In the capital Port-Louis, cars were stranded, with water up to their hoods, sometimes even swept away by the current. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport announced its closure "from 16:30 p.m. (local time, 12:30 GMT) until further notice." Police said the body of a motorcyclist was found on a flooded highway after a traffic accident. Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in a statement on national television on Monday, confirmed one death.

>> ALSO READ – Cyclone Belal in Reunion Island: the worst has been avoided, the island is seeing the damage

Mauritius Meteorological Service Heavily Criticised

In a speech, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth criticised the Mauritius Meteorological Service (MMS) and announced that its director had tendered his resignation. "I have to admit that the country has had difficult times due to Cyclone Belal," he said, adding that he was "surprised that the arrival of the heavy rains was not anticipated by the meteorological services. I share the anger of many Mauritians. Those responsible will have to take responsibility."

Cyclone Belal is about 150 kilometres south-southeast of Mauritius and is moving eastward at a speed of about 15 kilometres per hour, according to the MMS. A popular tourist island for its white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, Mauritius was hit in February 2023 by heavy rains and strong winds from Cyclone Freddy, which ravaged southeast Africa, including Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar. A dozen storms or cyclones cross the southwestern Indian Ocean each year during the cyclone season, which runs from November to April.