Mauritius Shuts Only Airport as Tropical Storm Garance Intensifies

Mauritius will shut its sole airport due to tropical storm Garance, which has been escalated to a Class III cyclone warning. Banks and non-essential services are closed, and water usage restrictions are in effect due to dry conditions and reduced reservoir levels.

Mauritius is set to close its only airport starting Wednesday evening due to the intensification of tropical storm Garance. This marks the first issuance of a Class III cyclone warning during the current summer season by the country’s meteorological services. This closure will remain in effect until further notice as officials monitor the storm’s developments.

Currently, banks, the stock exchange, and non-essential services are closed in observance of a public holiday. These facilities will remain closed if the cyclone warning persists. The cyclone warning indicates serious weather conditions that could affect daily operations on the island.

Garance is located off the northwestern shore of Mauritius and is projected to escalate into a tropical cyclone, potentially generating winds of up to 165 kilometers (102 miles) per hour. The meteorological services have indicated that “Garance constitutes a direct threat to the island,” highlighting the storm’s severity.

Typically, Mauritius experiences its heaviest rainfall during the first two months of the year, but this January was notably dry, recording only 30% of the standard rainfall over the past 25 years. Due to this lack of rainfall, the government restricted water usage for non-essential needs, addressing dwindling supplies in major reservoirs.

In summary, Mauritius will temporarily close its only airport as tropical storm Garance poses a significant threat, with meteorological services issuing a Class III cyclone warning for the first time this season. Severe winds and previous weather conditions have led to the closure of banks and non-essential services, with restrictions on water usage in place due to low reservoir levels.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com