The Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and La Reunion remained on high alert Thursday as Cyclone Garance, an intense tropical storm, was deemed a “direct threat” to the popular tourist destinations.
Mauritius shut down its main airport on Wednesday, while La Reunion, a French overseas territory, was set to follow suit on Thursday.
Mauritius classified Garance as a class 3 cyclone—the second-highest alert level—warning of gusts reaching up to 70 kilometres (43 miles) per hour.
According to the Mauritius Meteorological Service, the cyclone was 310 km (190 miles) northwest of the island and had strengthened into an “intense tropical storm.” Officials cautioned that it was “dangerously approaching Mauritius and constitutes a direct threat,” with flooding expected.
Garance, initially moving east, had shifted southward, positioning it to pass between Mauritius and La Reunion. The government representative for La Reunion confirmed that a “red alert” would be issued, with the airport closing on Thursday.
On its projected path, the cyclone was expected to pass within 50 km of La Reunion between Thursday evening and Friday morning, according to a statement from the prefecture.
Meteo-France warned that La Reunion could still experience a “direct impact,” cautioning that gusts exceeding 150 kph could hit the island’s highest elevations, accompanied by heavy rainfall and rough seas.
A red alert would require residents to remain indoors, with only emergency services permitted to move around the island. Schools had already closed by Wednesday afternoon.
Air Mauritius announced the suspension of all flights “until further notice.”
