Flights grounded as Mauritius braces for arrival of Tropical Storm Eleanor
James ChappleMauritius has shut its main international airport and issued a class-three cyclone warning as the island nation braces for the arrival of Tropical Storm Eleanor on Thursday (22 February).
At 10am on Thursday, 6am UK, the country’s met office said Eleanor was centred about 75km off the island’s northern coast, moving in a south-southwestly direction at around an "accelerated" 25km/ph.
Owing to the conditions, Air Mauritius cancelled its Gatwick departure on Wednesday (21 February). The carrier is offering anyone due to travel to the island during the next week the option to change their flight for free for another departing up to 31 March.
Mauritius’s airport operator, Airport Terminal Operations Ltd (Atol), confirmed SSR International airport would be closed from 7.30am local time on Thursday until further notice.
The storm is due to pass about 30km off Belle Mare, and would be at its closest point to the island at around midday, said Mauritius’s met office.
Guests on the island have been warned to brace for continued and widespread heavy rain, as well as thunderstorms. Flooding is also a risk "in several places", it added.
Newly formed Tropical Storm #Eleanor in the South Indian Ocean is forecast to strengthen and turn southwards towards #Mauritius over the next couple of days. pic.twitter.com/IwGELr0M59
— Met Office Storms (@metofficestorms) February 20, 2024
Wind speeds are expected to strengthen to 120km/ph, with sea swells and waves of six to eight metres. A further update is due at 1.10pm local time.
The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, warning the weather in Mauritius "is expected to deteriorate over the coming days". Anyone on the island is advised to take precautions, and follow the instructions and updates from local authorities closely.
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