Météo France described Hurricane Freddy as an intense tropical cyclone. He passed over Madagascar on Saturday and Sunday. The smaller islands of Reunion and Mauritius are on high alert. The cyclone is expected to cause flooding this Sunday and tomorrow Monday. Some airlines have canceled their flights.
The tropical storm is expected to head towards Madagascar and Mozambique
Forecast models indicate the system will maintain intense tropical cyclone strength as it tracks generally west-southwestward on February 19, passing well north of Rodrigues Island, Mauritius, on February 19-20. FEBRUARY. Freddy is then likely to pass north of the main island of Mauritius and Reunion from February 20 to February 21. After passing the islands, the storm is expected to weaken slightly as it continues to track west-southwest before making landfall on the east-central coast of Madagascar on February 21. After making landfall, the storm system is expected to weaken to a moderate tropical storm as it tracks southwest across central Madagascar on February 22 before heading west-southwest. and develop into a severe tropical storm as it emerges in the Mozambique Channel on February 22-23.
The alert was given on February 18 for Mauritius and Rodrigues
Since February 18, the Mauritius Meteorological Services has issued a Class 2 Cyclone Warning (Level 2 of 4) for Rodrigues Island and a Class 1 Cyclone Warning for Mauritius due to Freddy. Windy conditions, showers and rough seas are expected to hit Rodrigues Island from February 18 before weather conditions deteriorate further from the afternoon of February 19. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate in Mauritius from the afternoon of February 20.
Météo France had issued a pre-alert for Reunion
Météo France has issued a yellow cyclone pre-alert over the whole of Reunion. The airline Air Austral (UU) has notably rescheduled some flights to and from Roland Garros airport on February 20 and 21.
Strong disruptions at the various airports
Flight disruptions at regional airports, such as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and Sir Gaetan Airport, and temporary port closures are also possible. Standing pools of water during and after floods can increase the incidence of insect and water-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera and malaria. Exposure to raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwater poses a serious health threat.
Airline messages
In fact, it has not yet passed over Madagascar. We are expecting it for tomorrow end of the day (Tuesday 21/02).
