Schools Closed In Mauritius As Cyclone Belal Hits Island

Schools have been closed in Mauritius amid predictions of heavy rains that could result in flooding.

The nearby French island of Réunion was on Monday placed on the highest cyclone alert level after it was hit by the powerful Tropical Cyclone Belal.

Authorities have warned residents to stay indoors and emergency services are no longer authorised to intervene.

The extreme weather conditions have caused fatalities in both Réunion and Mauritius.

The body of a homeless man was found in the resort village of Saint-Gilles in Réunion’s west coast shortly before the cyclone alert was upgraded from red to purple on Monday.

The man declined to be evacuated, authorities say.

In the Mauritian village of Baie-du-Tombeau, a 75-year-old man drowned on Sunday.

Two surfers faced the storm at sea in La Preneuse in western Mauritius. One reached the coast, while the other one is missing.

BBC/Jide Johnson.