Mauritius Airport Closure Due to Cyclone Garance Alert

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The international airport of Mauritius was shut down on Wednesday following a class 3 cyclone alert, Air Mauritius said in a statement. The warning was issued by the Mauritius Meteorological Service, which said Cyclone Garance was 390km from the Indian Ocean island as of 1500 GMT. The tropical storm was heading east but could turn to pass over Mauritius and the French island of La Reunion, it said. Due to its expected trajectory, the risk of intensification, and its proximity to Mauritius, a class 3 warning has been issued, the meteorological service said.

Air Mauritius said all flights had been suspended at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport until further notice. The situation has left many tourists, including British nationals, stranded on the island with no clear escape route. The Foreign Office has issued an urgent warning to Brits in Mauritius, advising them to stay in a safe place and follow instructions from local authorities. The advisory has heightened anxiety among tourists, many of whom are struggling to find secure shelter as the storm’s approach becomes increasingly imminent.

The Mauritius Meteorological Services has declared a class 3 cyclone warning, signaling the severity of the approaching storm. As Tropical Storm Garance gathers strength, it is expected to bring heavy rainfall, flooding, and storm surges, posing a significant threat to life and property. The situation is dire, with local authorities issuing evacuation alerts in low-lying coastal areas. Residents and tourists are being urged to seek higher ground and take precautionary measures to ensure their safety. Shops and businesses have closed, public transportation is halted, and a state of emergency looms as the cyclone’s impact intensifies.

For many British tourists, what was meant to be a dream holiday has turned into a nightmare of survival. With flights canceled, airports closed, and no clear escape, tourists are desperately trying to find safe shelter. Many are taking to social media, pleading for help and expressing frustration over the lack of communication from travel agencies and airlines. The travel chaos is compounded by power outages, internet disruptions, and the fear of storm damage. The storm surge is expected to cause significant damage to coastal areas, and tourists are being told to avoid these areas due to the dangerous sea conditions.

The timeline of events is as follows: * 26 Feb: The international airport of Mauritius was shut down following a class 3 cyclone alert * 26 Feb: Air Mauritius said all flights had been suspended at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport until further notice * 27 Feb: The Mauritius Meteorological Services declared a class 3 cyclone warning, signaling the severity of the approaching storm * 27 Feb: Local authorities issued evacuation alerts in low-lying coastal areas, and residents and tourists were urged to seek higher ground and take precautionary measures to ensure their safety. The situation remains dire, with the cyclone expected to make landfall in the coming hours, and tourists and residents are advised to stay indoors and follow local authority updates closely.