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.

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.

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