Reunion under the threat of cyclone Belal: Extreme alert triggered
The threat of tropical cyclone Belal has plunged the island of Reunion into a major crisis situation. In anticipation of its potentially devastating impact, the authorities have declared a maximum alert phase for the safety of the population.
Drastic Containment Directive
With the approach of Belal, which is predicted as a historic event due to its violent force and the risks linked to flooding, the Reunion prefecture ordered complete confinement from Sunday evening. All residents must stay indoors and scrupulously follow the information disseminated by the weather services and the directives of the authorities.
Mandatory Instructions in the Event of Containment
- No exits authorized for any reason
- Emergency services will be inaccessible during the crisis
- Avoid standing near windows to reduce the danger from broken glass
- Maintain calm and stay informed via official bulletins
- Anticipate possible power, telecommunications and water supply outages
The prefect communicated that the island would be placed on purple alert, signifying an imminent threat, from 6:00 a.m. Monday morning (local time) while the forecast gusts and abnormal precipitation could write a new page in the island’s meteorological annals . This alert level imposes absolute confinement on the entire population, including the impossibility of intervention for the emergency and security services, and prohibits all external circulation without exception.
A Mobilization for the Safety of Residents
Faced with the emergency, the Reunion prefecture is deploying all means of communication to ensure the dissemination of vital safety instructions. The population of the department, numbering approximately 870,000 inhabitants, is urged to follow the precautions set out to limit the risks linked to this cyclone of unprecedented intensity.
