Authorities in the French Indian Ocean territory of Reunion Island issued a red alert on Thursday as Cyclone Garance nears, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. The alert level was raised to red at 7 p.m. local time, with officials warning that the storm, classified as an “intense tropical storm,” poses a serious threat. Neighboring Mauritius has also shut its main airport as the cyclone intensifies.
Meteo-France, the country’s national meteorological agency, has warned that Garance is “dangerously approaching” Reunion, with gusts expected to exceed 150 kilometers per hour (92 miles per hour) in the island’s highest areas. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, as the alert restricts movement to emergency services only. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced the deployment of 100 firefighters from Mayotte to Reunion, with additional reinforcements from mainland France on standby.
Flights across the region have been severely disrupted, with Air Mauritius suspending all flights “until further notice,” and Reunion’s airport set to close as the storm moves closer. Officials are preparing for possible destruction similar to that caused by Cyclone Chido in December, which left dozens dead on Mayotte Island.
