A Class 2 cyclone warning remains in force in Mauritius. This is what emerges from the sixth cyclone bulletin issued at 4:10 p.m. by the weather station, this Wednesday, February 21.
“The latest satellite images and other observations indicate that Eleanor has now reached the intensity of a strong tropical storm. At 4:00 p.m., it was centered about 470 km almost north-northeast of Mauritius, near 16.6 degrees south latitude and 60.3 degrees east longitude. Over the past six hours, Eleanor has moved even closer to the south-southwest and is now moving at an accelerated speed of around 20 km/h,” the weather service said in the cyclone bulletin.
On this trajectory, strong tropical storm Eleanor represents a potential threat to Mauritius.
Clouds associated with the outer bands of strong Tropical Storm Eleanor will begin to move across the island beginning late tonight with moderate to heavy showers. The weather is expected to deteriorate rapidly with widespread heavy thunderstorms tomorrow morning. Heavy downpours are likely to cause flooding in usual areas.
Gusts of around 80 km/h expected
The wind will gradually strengthen this evening, blowing from the east at a speed of around 30 km/h with gusts reaching 80 km/h, strengthening further tomorrow morning. The sea will become very rough to heavy with swells exceeding the reefs and a wave height of 6 to 8 meters.
The storm surge is likely to cause coastal flooding in low-lying areas in the north, east and south. The public is advised not to venture into the sea.
The next bulletin will be issued around 10:10 p.m.
