Cyclone Belal causes major damage in Mauritius

• Mauritius is assessing the damage caused by Cyclone Belal, which caused torrential rain and flooding.
• The storm is moving eastwards, but “other environmental risks” persist.
• Mauritius has reported at least one death, and Réunion has reported another casualty.

Authorities in Mauritius are evaluating the damage caused by Cyclone Belal, which brought torrential rain and flooding to the Indian Ocean island nation.

The country’s meteorological service reported that the storm is now moving away eastwards, but it cautioned about the persistence of “other environmental risks.”

Mauritius has reported at least one death, and Réunion has reported another casualty.

Mauritius raised the cyclone warning to the maximum level for a period, but they stated that the most severe danger has now passed.

Flooding in the capital, Port Louis, on Monday resulted in about 100 vehicles being damaged and abandoned by their owners. However, flood levels significantly decreased on Tuesday, allowing authorities to clear debris from the streets.

Observers noted widespread destruction along the waterfront in Port Louis. Authorities are conducting a comprehensive assessment of the main roads and critical infrastructure.

Mauritius Meteorological Services:

The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) announced the enforcement of a “safety bulletin” as the storm moved away from Mauritius. This decision came a few hours after they raised their alert to level four, the maximum level. The MMS reported that the storm is currently moving eastwards towards the Indian Ocean at a speed of about 18 km/h (11 mph).

“There are no longer any risks of having cyclonic conditions over Mauritius but other environmental risks exist,” it said, urging people to remain in safe places and not to go out to sea, or walk along shorelines, because of the potential for storm surges.

On Monday, Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth confirmed one death and criticized the MMS for its response to the storm. The director of the MMS has resigned.

“I have to admit that the country has had a difficult time because of Cyclone Belal,” he said, adding that government decisions had relied on information from the meteorological service.

“I share the anger of the people of Mauritius at this time. I am determined that the people responsible for this situation must assume their responsibilities.”

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