Mauritius to Close Airport Amid Intensifying Tropical Storm Garance

Mauritius will close its only airport as a precaution against Tropical Storm Garance, which may reach cyclone intensity. Banks, the stock exchange, and non-essential services will also remain closed. The unusually dry January has already prompted water usage restrictions.

Mauritius is set to close its only airport starting Wednesday evening, following a Class III cyclone warning issued by the country’s meteorological services for the first time this summer season. The decision to suspend airport operations is a precautionary measure in light of Tropical Storm Garance, which is anticipated to intensify into a tropical cyclone, producing wind speeds up to 165 kilometers (102 miles) per hour.

In addition to the airport closure, banks, the stock exchange, and offices providing non-essential services will remain closed due to the public holiday observed on Wednesday. If the cyclone warning remains, these institutions will continue to be inactive.

Garance is currently situated off the northwestern coast of Mauritius, posing a direct threat to the island nation, as indicated by local meteorological authorities. Historically, January is usually the wettest month; however, this year has witnessed just 30% of the average rainfall, leading to severe restrictions on water usage for non-essential purposes.

This information has been disseminated from a wire agency source, with the only alteration being the headline.

In summary, Mauritius is taking significant precautions in response to Tropical Storm Garance, which is expected to escalate in severity. The closure of the sole airport and the suspension of various services highlight the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety during this hazardous weather event. Furthermore, the unusually dry conditions this January have contributed to ongoing challenges regarding water usage on the island.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com