2024-01-15 07:42:04
Cyclone Belal is blowing strong winds across the island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The eye of the cyclone had arrived in the northwest of the island, the prefect of the French overseas territory, Jérôme Filippini, told the France Info broadcaster on Monday morning. Wind gusts of more than 150 kilometers per hour were measured.
The mayor of the city of Saint-Paul in the west of the island, Emmanuel Séraphin, told the broadcaster that winds with speeds of up to 215 kilometers per hour were recorded early in the morning. The waves continue to increase.
La Réunion is located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Around 870,000 people live on the island.
The highest cyclone warning level has been in effect on the island since last night and until further notice. The population is called upon to stay at home at all costs. Rescue workers are also not allowed to go outside during the worst phase of the storm.
Prefect Filippini told broadcaster France Info that power was out in about 27,000 households. 55,000 people also have no running water. The water was turned off as a precaution.
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