Earth Science News
SHAKE AND BLOW
Mauritius mopping up after storm Belal wreaks havoc
Mauritius mopping up after storm Belal wreaks havoc
by AFP Staff Writers
Port Louis, Mauritius (AFP) Jan 16, 2024

Mauritius was on Tuesday assessing the damage wrought by tropical storm Belal as it rolled away from the Indian Ocean island nation, allowing international flights to resume.

Belal has claimed the life of one person in the remote tourist paradise, left thousands without power, flooded buildings and caused traffic chaos, with cars washed away by a deluge of water or piled up on streets.

Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) had announced early Tuesday it was raising its cyclone alert to the maximum level four but at 2:10 pm (1010 GMT) it said "all cyclone warnings for Mauritius are being waived".

Belal had already battered the French overseas territory of Reunion, leaving three people dead, according to the latest toll given by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. The authorities there announced Tuesday that a red alert had been lifted.

The operator of the international airport in Mauritius announced that flights would resume on Tuesday afternoon after closing on Monday as the cyclone approached, leading to cancellations.

National carrier Air Mauritius said services had resumed but appealed "to all its passengers not to show up at the airport until they have been informed of the timings of their rescheduled flights."

Tourism is a key contributor to the country's economy, with visitors wooed by its spectacular white beaches and turquoise waters.

More than one million visitors travelled to Mauritius in 2022, according to official figures.

- Meteo chief resigns -

Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth had criticised the MMS in a televised address to the nation on Monday and announced that its director had resigned.

He also confirmed one fatality, saying a motorcyclist had died in a road accident.

In its update, MMS warned that seas would remain very rough, with waves of up to seven metres (23 feet) in open waters, and the possibility of isolated thunderstorms.

"The public is strongly advised to maintain all precautions and not to venture out at sea and along beaches."

The National Emergency Operations Command also urged the public to remain prudent, particularly in areas at risk of flooding.

It said all but one main thoroughfare was now passable, although some roads may be partially flooded or blocked.

Some 10,000 families in different regions of the island were still without power on Tuesday afternoon, according to Thierry Ramasawmy, spokesman for the Central Electricity Board.

"Everything will be done to restore the electricity supply during the week," he said.

- 'Share the anger of Mauritians' -

In his address, Jugnauth said he was "sad and angry" at Monday's events and lashed out at the weather agency.

"I have to admit that the country has had a difficult time because of Cyclone Belal," he said, adding that all decisions made by the government had depended on information from the MMS.

"I am surprised that the arrival of the heavy rains was not anticipated by the weather services. I share the anger of many Mauritians. Those responsible will have to assume their responsibilities."

An office worker in Port Louis, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said: "We are not surprised by the passage of the cyclone, however we do not understand how the forecasts from the meteorological services were so imprecise."

About a dozen storms or cyclones occur each year in the southwest Indian Ocean during the November-April season.

In February last year, Mauritius was lashed by heavy rains and high winds from Cyclone Freddy, which caused a wave of death and destruction in southeastern Africa including Malawi, Mozambique and Madagascar.

Storm death toll on Reunion island rises to 3
Saint-Denis De La Reunion (AFP) Jan 16, 2024 - The death toll from a devastating storm that hit France's Indian Ocean island of Reunion rose to three Tuesday after the discovery of two more bodies, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

All three people killed by cyclone Belal were homeless people in the Indian Ocean island, Darmanin told the French parliament in Paris.

"It is believed that they refused emergency accomodation," he said.

One of the latest victims was found drowned in a river, and the other in a corrugated iron hut, Darmanin said.

Belal's fierce winds on Monday led authorities to order the population of 870,000 to stay indoors. The requirement was lifted Tuesday. Darmanin was to go to Reunion on Wednesday, his ministry said.

Related Links
Bringing Order To A World Of Disasters
When the Earth Quakes
A world of storm and tempest

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SHAKE AND BLOW
Mauritius on maximum cyclone alert as storm Belal wreaks havoc
Port Louis, Mauritius (AFP) Jan 16, 2024
Mauritius raised a cyclone warning alert to maximum on Tuesday as powerful winds and rains from tropical storm Belal caused havoc in the Indian Ocean island nation. The government has ordered all inhabitants to stay indoors, but the meteorological service said the storm was now moving eastwards away from the remote paradise island. Belal has left thousands of people without power, and numerous cars submerged under floodwaters caused by torrential rains or piled up on streets. Police said the ... read more

SHAKE AND BLOW
Japan to double emergency funds after New Year's Day quake

Medicine for hostages, fresh aid enter Gaza: Qatar

Freezing in makeshift tents, Gazans burn plastic to survive

Streets all but empty in Ecuador as gang attacks sow terror

SHAKE AND BLOW
Epic says Apple court fight is 'lost'

US, UK strikes targeted Huthi radar, missile capabilities: defense chief

D-Orbit Secures Record euro 100m in Series C Funding, Advancing Space Logistics and In-Orbit Services

NASA's Cryo Efforts Beyond the Atmosphere

SHAKE AND BLOW
URI professor leads effort demonstrating success of new technology in conducting deep-sea research on fragile organisms

France orders rare Atlantic fishing ban to protect dolphins

Researchers pump brakes on 'blue acceleration' harming oceans

Largest-ever study of ocean DNA has created essential catalog of marine life

SHAKE AND BLOW
Chasing the light: Sandia study finds new clues about warming in the Arctic

Canada hands control of rich Arctic lands to Inuit territory

Greenland has lost more ice than previously thought: study

NASA Study: More Greenland Ice Lost Than Previously Estimated

SHAKE AND BLOW
Norwegian Seaweed Farming: A Case Study in Sustainability and Local Community Involvement

Innovative aquaculture technologies lead the way in sustainable seafood production

Syrian farmers abandon the land for steadier jobs

UH trains future agri-scientists to outsmart climate change threats to food crops

SHAKE AND BLOW
Mauritius mopping up after storm Belal wreaks havoc

Icelanders see little chance of return after volcano destroys homes

Iceland eruption confirms faultline has reawakened

Iceland volcano eruption eases

SHAKE AND BLOW
Blinken to refocus on Africa as Russia, China make gains

Seven killed by strike in Sudan's White Nile State: activists

More than 30 killed in strikes on Sudan capital: NGO

China supports Somalia's 'integrity' after Ethiopia-Somaliland accord

SHAKE AND BLOW
Woolly mammoth movements tied to earliest Alaska hunting camps

Global study reveals increasing life expectancy and narrowing gender longevity gap

Critically endangered gorilla born at London Zoo

Money weighs on would-be Chinese parents as population falls

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.