MAURITIUS — Cyclone Berguitta is expected to make landfall in Mauritius mid-day Thursday morning, local time, bringing with it 120 km-per-hour winds.
The category 3 cyclone has already destroyed crops and taken out power to parts of the island nation. Thousands of residents are holed up in government storm shelters after being warned by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre to avoid risky areas where landslides and flooding are likely to occur.
The airport and port were both closed on Jan. 17, the same day authorities raised the alert to class III. The Airport of Mauritius said it will remain closed until further notice.
The last cyclone to hit Mauritius was Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994, which killed two people and caused $135 million in damage.
