The Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and La Reunion were on high alert Thursday for an intense tropical storm, Cyclone Garance, labelled a "direct threat" to the tourist destinations. The Mauritius Meteorological Service said the cyclone was 310 kilometres (190 miles) northwest of the island and had become an "intense tropical storm".

The Indian Ocean tourist meccas of Mauritius and La Reunion braced Thursday for an intense tropical storm, Cyclone Garance, which was labelled a "direct threat" to the islands. Mauritius shut its main airport the previous day, while the nearby French island of La Reunion was set to do the same on Thursday.

Residents of the Indian Ocean islands Mauritius and La Reunion rushed to stockpile essential items on Thursday, as Cyclone Garance approached the two territories. The storm, which is expected to pass 50 kilometers from La Reunion's shores,

The international airport of Mauritius was shut down Wednesday following a class 3 cyclone alert, Air Mauritius said in a statement.

Cyclone Garance barrelled across La Reunion island on Friday killing at least two people as fierce winds left destruction across the French Indian Ocean territory, authorities said.

The Mauritius Meteorological Service has issued a Class 3 cyclone warning for the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and La Reunion. Both islands remain on high alert as Cyclone Garance is expected to

Air India has announced the cancellation of flights to and from Mauritius on February 28, 2025, due to operational restrictions at Mauritius Airport caused by Cyclone Garance.