“It’s super crazy”: Swiss surprised by cyclone in holiday paradise Mauritius

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A violent cyclone is currently hitting the holiday paradise of Mauritius. The island in the Indian Ocean has already suffered deaths and dozens of injuries.

A Blick reader from Switzerland is currently on holiday in Mauritius. He describes the situation as follows: “It’s crazy, last week the weather was beautiful and now this.” Photos from the hotel complex show how water has flooded the entire outdoor area. Authorities recorded serious damage across the island.

“Authorities have declared warning level too late”

“Luckily we are safe in the hotel.” But the Swiss also believe: “The authorities declared warning level three far too late.” The family will remain on the island until Saturday. “The before and after effect is already great.” At the beginning of the holiday, the young man could enjoy the clear view from the hotel pool, but now everything is destroyed.

Cyclone Belal hit the islands of Mauritius and Réunion Island. The storm caused serious flooding. Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, was particularly hard hit. In the deserted streets of Port Louis, social media images show the clatter of metal plates in the howling wind. The south is also hit hard. Wind speeds of up to 240 km/h were measured.

Curfews and fines

A curfew has been in place throughout the country since Monday evening and will last until Tuesday afternoon. Anyone who violated the ban risked heavy fines. As various media reports indicate, the people of Mauritius have stocked up on food supplies and energy banks to provide electricity.

Also on Monday, the country’s international airport was closed, as were government offices, banks and other businesses. The staff was sent home due to expected heavy rain.

Cyclones all the time

Between November and April, the southwestern Indian Ocean is regularly hit by tropical cyclones. In February last year, Cyclone “Freddy” passed over Mauritius, causing heavy rain.

However, in the Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, the cyclones are called hurricanes. In the Pacific Northwest and Southeast Asia, the same powerful storms are called typhoons. To be classified as a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone, a storm must reach wind speeds of at least 70 miles per hour. In Mauritius this was clearly exceeded.

Source: Blick