Officials have called on Brits to follow the guidance and instruction from local authorities, which include staying inside at all costs.

“The public in Mauritius is advised to complete all precautions,” Mauritius’s Met Office said. “The public is advised to stay sheltered and avoid plains, hiking sea trips and not to take shelter under trees during storms, to avoid places subject to accumulation of water as well as mountain slopes and to be very careful on the roads due to reduced visibility.”

Local authorities have also upgraded the cyclone warning to a level three on Monday (15 January), as Belal’s trajectory is set to hit the southern part of the island.

Residents in nearby Reunion have been forced to remain indoors for 36 hours after officials placed the island under the maximum storm alert. 

According to the French met office, on Monday wind gusts will reach up to 180 km/h with waves exceeding 12 metres, but the situation will improve over the next couple of days. 

“The island is no longer under the direct influence of the Belal system but it still generates a fairly strong southerly flow on the island,” French authorities said about Wednesday (17 January). “Weather conditions continue to gradually improve despite rain still present on the southern side of the island.”