This morning, we reported that schools in Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island east of Madagascar, had shut in preparation for a powerful cyclone.
In the last few hours, torrential rains and floods have begun wreaking havoc.
Mauritius’ meteorological department said Cyclone Belal was “dangerously approaching” and is expected to “pass closer to the south of the island” early on Tuesday morning.
On Monday, dramatic images on social media showed occupied vehicles floating in flooded roads in Mauritius’ capital, Port Louis.
Belal has already battered the the nearby, French-administered island of Réunion.
One person has died and more than 600 have been displaced there as a result of the storm.