Réunion and Mauritius – Heavy Rain From Tropical Cyclone Fakir Triggers Deadly Landslide

Tropical Cyclone ‘Fakir’ formed on 23 April, 2018, over the south-western Indian Ocean, north-northeast of Madagascar, and started moving towards Réunion (France) and Mauritius, where cyclone warnings were issued.

Tropical Cyclone Fakir, April 2018. Image: EUMETSAT

Mauritius

In Mauritius, the storm brought winds of 112 km/h, heavy rainfall and high waves of up to 5 metres on 24 April. Over 100 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in Riche-en-Eau (105 mm), Providence (103 mm) and Mon-Bois (102 mm).

Power supply was cut and some flights were cancelled or delayed. Cyclone warnings have since been cancelled, although some warnings remain in place for storm surge and high waves.

Réunion

In Réunion, two people died in a landslide caused by the heavy rain in Etang-Salé, according to AFP reports. The government of Reunion said that the storm had caused major damage to the island’s road network and warned people not to travel. Schools were closed on 24 April.

Over 400 mm of rain fell in 24 hours in Le Baril. Several other locations recorded more than 300 mm during the same period. The government said that levels of rivers across the island are high, including the Saint-Denis, Sainte-Suzanne, Grande Rivière Saint-Jean and the Langevin.

Fakir has continued to move south east and away from the islands. As of 24 April, the storm was located around 240 km south of Souillac, the southernmost point of the main island of Mauritius.

Flood Summary

Last updated: January 27, 2023
Event
Tropical Cyclone Fakir, Réunion and Mauritius, April 2018
Date
April 23 to April 24, 2018
Type
Flash flood, Landslide
Cause
Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Riche-en-Eau, Mauritius
B - La Reunion

Magnitude

Rainfall level
105 mm in 24 hours
Riche-en-Eau, Mauritius - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Rainfall level
103 mm in 24 hours
Providence, Mauritius - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Rainfall level
102 mm in 24 hours
Mon-Bois, Mauritius - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Rainfall level
300.7 mm in 24 hours
Plaine des Palmistes - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Rainfall level
299.3 mm in 24 hours
Bras-Long - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Rainfall level
388.9 mm in 24 hours
Bellecombe - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Rainfall level
338.3 mm in 24 hours
Grand Coude - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Rainfall level
418.4 mm in 24 hours
Le Baril - April 23 to April 24, 2018

Damages

Fatalities
2 people
Etang-Salé, La Reunion - April 23 to April 24, 2018
Roads damaged
15 roads
La Reunion - April 23 to April 24, 2018
The government of Reunion said that the storm had caused major damage to the island’s road network and warned people not to travel.