Cyclone Garance triggers 'purple alert' in La Reunion and Mauritius
Authorities in La Reunion and Mauritius have raised alarms as Cyclone Garance approaches, with both islands facing a severe tropical storm. Mauritius closed its main airport on Wednesday, followed by La Reunion, which declared its highest "purple alert" on Thursday. The cyclone, packing winds exceeding 200 km/h (125 mph), is heading towards La Reunion and Mauritius, posing a direct threat to these popular tourist destinations. Flooding is expected as Garance nears the islands.
The Mauritius Meteorological Service reported that the cyclone is approximately 310 kilometers (190 miles) northwest of the island, intensifying into a dangerous storm. La Reunion's prefecture anticipates the cyclone will pass within 50 kilometers of the island between Thursday night and Friday morning, urging residents to stay indoors.
A "red alert" was issued, requiring the population to remain inside, with schools closing early on Wednesday. Citizens rushed to stock up on necessities like bottled water, candles, and canned food, while fishermen secured their boats and farmers protected their crops from potential damage.
La Reunion's population of around 900,000 people are bracing for the storm’s impact. Authorities are warning of severe weather conditions, urging residents to remain cautious and heed emergency advisories. This comes after the island experienced the devastating effects of Cyclone Belal in January 2024, which caused significant damage and loss of life.
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