at least one dead on Mauritius, on maximum alert

Mauritius police say the body of a motorcyclist who was the victim of a road accident has been found on a flooded highway.

Airport closed, torrential rains, flooded roads… Mauritius was placed on maximum alert on Tuesday January 16 following the passage of Cyclone Belal which swept across the small country in the Indian Ocean, causing extensive damage and causing at least a dead person. The alert level on the island of 1.3 million inhabitants was raised to 4, the maximum level, following the passage of this cyclone which had previously hit Reunion and left one dead.

In Mauritius, police explained that the body of a motorcyclist, victim of a road accident, had been found on a flooded highway. “We mourn a death”Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth declared on national television, who also criticized the Mauritian meteorological service and announced that its director had submitted his resignation.

“Those responsible will have to take responsibility”

“I must recognize that the country has experienced difficult times due to Cyclone Belal”said the Prime Minister, adding that he was “surprised that the arrival of the heavy rains was not anticipated by the meteorological services”. “I share the anger of many Mauritians. Those responsible will have to assume their responsibilities”he added.

Thousands of people were left without power and many cars were submerged in water. The island was hit by torrential rains and winds recorded at more than 100 km/h. In the capital Port-Louis, cars were stuck, with water up to their hoods, sometimes even swept away by the current. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport announced its closure “from 4:30 p.m. [13h30 à Paris] until further notice”.