Mauritius Under Lockdown-Like Alert as Cyclone Gamane Approaches

Cyclone Gamane has approached Mauritius, leading to lockdown-like alerts as the government orders residents to stay indoors. The cyclone is categorized as a Category 3 severe storm, expected to cause significant damage. Measures such as school and airport closures have been enacted to ensure public safety as the cyclonic winds threaten the region.

In light of recent events, Mauritius is experiencing lockdown-like conditions as Cyclone Gamane makes landfall. The cyclone, now near Saint-Denis, is moving at a perilous speed of 195 kilometers per hour, prompting the government to declare a high alert. Approximately 48 percent of Mauritius’s population, who identify as Hindu, are urged to remain indoors for safety, paralleling the global stay-at-home recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities have implemented crucial measures including the closure of airports and schools, beginning as early as Wednesday, in an effort to safeguard residents against the cyclone’s destructive potential. As the storm is categorized as a Category 3 cyclone, which is defined as a ‘Severe Tropical Cyclone,’ it is anticipated to cause significant damage to property and infrastructure.

As of Thursday, the Mauritius Meteorological Service confirmed the cyclone had intensified and was threatening the island directly. A red alert has been issued, with warnings of potential flooding and the necessity of sheltering indoors. The emergency status took effect at 7 PM on Thursday, with conditions deteriorating as the cyclone approached.

In response to the impending cyclone, local residents converged at stores to gather essential supplies, reminiscent of scenes witnessed during the pandemic. Long queues formed as people scrambled to secure food and water in preparation for the storm. One resident remarked, “It took me only 10 seconds to buy water from the store, but I have been standing in line for the past 10 minutes just to make the payment.”

The arrival of Cyclone Gamane has prompted serious safety measures in Mauritius, including lockdown-like conditions and the closure of essential services. As authorities issue red alerts and urge the population to remain indoors, the community’s response reflects their preparedness amidst impending danger. With the cyclone classified as severe, its potential impacts could have lasting consequences for the island nation.

Original Source: www.india.com