Schools in Mauritius have been closed due to the imminent threat of heavy rains leading to potential flooding.
The nearby French island of Réunion has been placed on the highest cyclone alert level after being struck by the powerful Tropical Cyclone Belal.
Authorities are urging residents to remain indoors, and emergency services are currently not authorized to intervene. Unfortunately, extreme weather conditions have already resulted in fatalities in both Réunion and Mauritius.
In Réunion, the body of a homeless man was discovered in the resort village of Saint-Gilles on the west coast shortly before the cyclone alert was escalated from red to purple on Monday. Tragically, the man had declined evacuation efforts.
In the Mauritian village of Baie-du-Tombeau, a 75-year-old man lost his life due to drowning on Sunday.
Additionally, two surfers braved the storm at sea in La Preneuse in western Mauritius. While one managed to reach the coast safely, the whereabouts of the other surfer are currently unknown.
Please exercise extreme caution, follow all safety guidelines, and stay tuned for further updates on this developing weather situation.