A cyclone warning class I is in force in Mauritius.
At 16h00 hours, a moderate tropical storm Belal was centred at about 520 km to the north-north-west of Mauritius near latitude 16.5 degrees south and longitude 54.3 degrees east. It has accelerated slightly during the last hours and is now moving towards the south-west at a speed of about 20 km/h.
On this trajectory, Belal will approach our region and represent a potential threat to Mauritius. The public in Mauritius is advised to take preliminary precautions.
Weather will be overcast with showers, moderate and thundery at times. The showers will become more frequent at night and will be heavy at times.
Wind will blow from the north-east at a speed of about 25 km/h with gusts reaching 80 km/h tomorrow morning. The sea will be rough beyond the reefs with swells. It is advised not to venture at sea.
As Belal continues to approach our region, strengthening at the same time, a further deterioration in weather is expected tomorrow, Sunday, 14 January.
Mauritius Port Authority already unclenched the safety protocol. Bunker barges and most vessels have already been instructed to sail on the high seas for sheltering.
Inchcape’s Mauritius office is closed.