Mauritius will close its sole airport as Tropical Storm ‘Garance’ intensifies, marking the first Class III cyclone warning of the season. Current public holidays have resulted in closed banks and services, which will remain closed if the warning persists. The storm could bring winds of up to 165 km/h, posing a direct threat to the island, and coincides with low rainfall levels that have led to water usage restrictions.
Mauritius has announced the temporary closure of its sole airport due to the intensification of Tropical Storm “Garance.” The closure will take effect from Wednesday evening until further notice, corresponding with the issuance of a Class III cyclone warning by the country’s meteorological services, marking the first such warning of this summer season.
As today is a public holiday, banks, the stock exchange, and non-essential services are already closed. These services will remain shut should the cyclone warning persist.
Tropical Storm “Garance” is currently situated off the northwestern coast of Mauritius, with predictions that it may reach tropical-cyclone intensity, bringing wind speeds of up to 165 kilometers per hour (approximately 102 miles per hour), posing a direct threat to the island, as stated by meteorological services.
Historically, January is one of the wettest months for Mauritius; however, this year’s rainfall has been notably low, reported at merely 30% of the long-term average, making it the second-driest January in 25 years. Consequently, the government has imposed usage restrictions on water for non-essential activities due to declining levels in major reservoirs.
In summary, Mauritius is taking precautionary measures ahead of Tropical Storm ‘Garance,’ which poses a significant risk to the island. The imminent closure of the airport and various public services underscores the seriousness of the cyclone warning. Furthermore, the region’s recent weather patterns have raised concerns regarding water scarcity, prompting the government to enforce restrictions.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
