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Mauritius, lying over 200 km away from the French Island, was also on alert as authorities there said they also expected to feel the effects of a tropical cyclone as it made its way through the southwestern Indian Ocean
A tropical cyclone-Belal- hit the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean on Monday (15th January) resulting in intense rain and powerful wind. It left a good number of households and establishments without electricity. Households are also suffering from acute water shortage since authorities have been forced to cut the water supply due to disruptions.
Mauritius, lying over 200 km away from the French Island, was also on alert as authorities there said they also expected to feel the effects of a tropical cyclone as it made its way through the southwestern Indian Ocean.
In Reunion, local authorities said that the highest alert level that was announced Sunday had now been lifted, but residents were still urged to remain sheltered indoors as heavy rains and winds of up to 170 kilometers per hour (105 miles per hour) were expected to continue. Belal’s intensity appeared to be slightly decreasing. Some 8-meter (26-feet) high waves have been recorded.
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Internet and phone services were disrupted. Belal reached Reunion in the early afternoon on Monday local time, bringing heavy rains, sometimes stormy, very violent winds, and powerful and raging seas. Prefect ( top Administrator) of the Island Jérôme Filippini, had also warned that there could be flood surges at levels unseen for a century. Mauritius, which lies northeast of Reunion, was also expected to be battered by the storm’s outer winds.
