Mauritius was hit by severe cyclone winds on Wednesday, knocking out electricity to thousands of homes on the island country. ayokinews.com reports
Tropical storm Batsirai passed within 130 kilometers (80 miles) of the tourist destination, bringing torrential rains and gusts of roughly 120 kilometres per hour, with a high of 151 kilometres per hour in the capital Port Louis.
Public transportation was canceled, businesses and banks were closed, and air and sea travel were suspended, bringing life to a halt.
The local electricity authority confirmed that the wind blew down trees onto electricity cables, causing at least 7,500 houses to lose power. The telephone system was also hampered.
Schools that have been shuttered since November due to the spread of the Covid variant Omicron were unable to resume on schedule.
“Cyclonic conditions will persist on the island until late evening,” a statement from the weather service confirmed.
The French island of Reunion, roughly 230 kilometers southwest of Mauritius, was on high alert for storm Batsirai’s impending arrival.
A storm slammed Mauritius and Reunion in 2007, killing two individuals and injuring nine others.
Across recent days, tropical storms and torrential rains have wrecked havoc in southern Africa, leaving a path of devastation in their wake.
Last week, Tropical Storm Ana killed 86 people in Mozambique, Madagascar, and Malawi.
Source (Credit): AFP