Mauritius to Close Airport as Tropical Storm ‘Garance’ Approaches

Mauritius will close its sole airport starting Wednesday evening due to tropical storm ‘Garance,’ which has prompted a Class III cyclone warning. Banks and non-essential services are already closed for a public holiday and will remain so if warnings persist. The storm is expected to intensify, with wind speeds reaching 165 kilometers per hour, posing a direct threat to the island while water restrictions are in place due to recent dry conditions.

Mauritius is set to close its sole airport starting Wednesday evening due to the intensifying tropical storm ‘Garance.’ The country’s meteorological services have issued a Class III cyclone warning for the first time this summer season, indicating an increasing threat from the storm. As a safety precaution, banks, the stock exchange, and non-essential services are closed because Wednesday is a public holiday, and these establishments will remain shut if the warning persists.

Tropical storm Garance, currently located off the northwestern coast of Mauritius, is projected to escalate to tropical-cyclone intensity. This escalation could result in wind speeds reaching up to 165 kilometers (102 miles) per hour, thus presenting a direct threat to the island, as stated by the meteorological services. The situation demands close monitoring as it develops.

Though typically, January is one of the wettest months for Mauritius, this year’s rainfall has been particularly sparse, measuring only 30% of the long-term average for this month. Consequently, the government has had to enforce restrictions on water usage for non-essential purposes due to the dwindling water levels in major reservoirs on the island.

In summary, as tropical storm Garance approaches Mauritius, the nation is taking significant precautions, including airport closures and public service suspensions. The cyclone warning underscores the potential danger from the storm, including high wind speeds that may adversely affect the island. Additionally, ongoing drought conditions have prompted water restrictions, signaling a challenging scenario for the country.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com