Under the threat of intense tropical cyclone Belal, the island of Reunion will go into orange cyclone warning at 7pm (4pm in Paris) on Saturday 13 January, the prefect of the French island in the Indian Ocean, Jérôme Filippini, announced.
“We must take what is happening seriously, very seriously”Mr. Filippini insisted during a press conference on Saturday, appealing to the population “Stock up on water and food, prepare to be self-sufficient for a few hours or a few days, have your first aid kit”. “We must now ask ourselves (question to know) Where you will be safe from Sunday evening »he added.
While the island is currently on yellow alert, the storm is intensifying, said Céline Jouffret, Meteo-France’s interregional director. It should pass as close as possible to the reunion between Sunday and Monday and Monday night.
The wind blew at a speed of more than 150 kilometers per hour
The orange level is the second of the cyclone warning system, which has four. This means that“A cyclonic event (…) develop in the area and represent a threat to Reunion Island within twenty-four hours”According to Météo-France.
According to the current forecast, the eye of the cyclone may pass between Reunion and Mauritius from about 100 kilometers from land. It will be later “At cyclone stage, or even severe cyclone, as close as possible to Reunion Island. A significant impact is expected due to wind, rain and fungi”Detailed mme Jouffret.
Meteo-France has predicted winds of over 150 kilometers per hour “On the heights of the island”. Swells of over 6 meters and heavy rain are also expected.
But a direct impact on Reunion Island cannot be ruled out for the moment. This will lead to “Winds above 220 km per hour in Nicha (from the island) And can reach a speed of 250 kilometers per hour at altitude » of the island, warnedme Jouffret. The last severe cyclone to hit Reunion was in 2014.
