Mauritius on maximum cyclone alert as storm Belal wreaks havoc

PORT LOUIS - Mauritius raised a cyclone warning alert to maximum on Tuesday as powerful winds and rains from tropical storm Belal caused havoc in the Indian Ocean island nation.

The government has ordered all inhabitants to stay indoors, but the meteorological service said the storm was now moving eastwards away from the remote paradise island.

Belal has left thousands of people without power, and numerous cars submerged under floodwaters caused by torrential rains or piled up on streets.

Police said the body of a motorcyclist was found on a flooded highway, the victim of a road accident. Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, in a statement on national television on Monday, confirmed one fatality.

Belal had already battered the French overseas territory of Reunion, leaving one person dead.

The international airport in Mauritius was closed on Monday until further notice and Air Mauritius announced that several flights scheduled for Tuesday, including to France and South Africa, had been cancelled.

In his address on Monday, Jugnauth criticised the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) and announced that its director had submitted his resignation.

"I have to admit that the country has had a difficult time because of Cyclone Belal," he said, adding that all decisions made by the government had depended on information from the MMS.

"I am surprised that the arrival of the heavy rains was not anticipated by the weather services. I share the anger of many Mauritians. Those responsible will have to assume their responsibilities."

The government on Monday announced that a curfew would remain in force until noon on Tuesday, with only certain people such as emergency workers allowed to go outdoors.