Mauritius and La Reunion are on high alert for Cyclone Garance, classified as a Class 3 cyclone, with predicted wind gusts up to 70 kilometers per hour. The Mauritius main airport closed Wednesday, while La Reunion will also close its airport under a red alert for anticipated flooding and strong winds. Residents are preparing by stocking up on essentials amidst emergency measures.
On February 27, 2025, the islands of Mauritius and La Reunion in the Indian Ocean were placed on high alert due to the imminent approach of Cyclone Garance, deemed a severe threat to these popular tourist locales. In preparation, Mauritius closed its main airport on Wednesday, while La Reunion was expected to follow suit the next day.
The Mauritius Meteorological Service has classified Cyclone Garance as a Class 3 cyclone, indicating the second-highest alert level, with anticipated wind gusts reaching speeds of 70 kilometers (43 miles) per hour. Currently, the cyclone is situated approximately 310 kilometers (190 miles) northwest of Mauritius and is characterized as an “intense tropical storm.”
As Cyclone Garance inches closer, the meteorological service alerted residents that flooding is likely. Although the cyclone is primarily tracking east, it has altered its path to curve southward, moving between Mauritius and La Reunion. The government of La Reunion announced plans to implement a “red alert” and close its airport on Thursday.
On its projected course, Cyclone Garance is anticipated to pass within 50 kilometers of La Reunion between Thursday evening and Friday morning, as per a statement from the prefecture. Meteo-France has cautioned that the island may experience direct impacts, with gusts exceeding 150 kilometers per hour above its highest elevations, along with heavy rain and rough seas.
While La Reunion experienced heavy cloud cover on Thursday, no significant rainfall was reported at that time. By midday, the cyclone remained about 300 kilometers away, but authorities confirmed that a red alert would be activated at 7:00 PM, coinciding with the cyclone’s closest approach to the island.
The red alert mandates that residents remain indoors, allowing only emergency services to operate. Consequently, schools were dismissed early on Wednesday, prompting thousands of residents in La Reunion to stock up on essential goods, resulting in long lines at supermarkets.
One shopper, Franck Vitry, shared his experience: “I thought I had plenty of time to do my shopping, but I was wrong.” He emphasized the frustration of waiting in line to purchase bottled water after hastily gathering supplies. Many others were also seen buying candles, batteries, and food items to prepare for the impending lockdown.
Amid the preparations, fishermen in Sainte-Marie secured their boats, while farmers took proactive measures to protect their crops from the approaching winds. Jean-Christophe Hoareau, a farmer from Etang-Sale-Les-Hauts, opted to remove his cucumber vines to safeguard his greenhouses from potential gale-force damage, declaring, “They are our main working tools.”
The last significant cyclone alert in La Reunion occurred in January 2024 due to Cyclone Belal, which tragically claimed four lives and resulted in an estimated €100 million (approximately $104 million) in damages.
In conclusion, both Mauritius and La Reunion are on high alert as Cyclone Garance approaches, prompting precautionary measures such as airport closures and public safety alerts. With high wind speeds and heavy rain anticipated, residents are actively preparing for potential disruptions, including stockpiling essential supplies. This storm poses a serious threat to the local communities, recalling previous storms that have caused significant damage and loss of life.
Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com
