La Reunion declares highest weather emergency as cyclone Belal approaches: ‘Take refuge in your safest room’

Waves approach the shore amid Cyclone Belal, in Saint-Denis on Reunion Island January 14, 2024 this picture obtained from social media. Instagram @ndsprod33/via REUTERS

Gilles Guillaume

The French island of La Réunion was placed under a maximum-level cyclone alert on Monday morning and citizens were urged to stay inside, cut power, stop using tap water and stay in the safest room of their houses due to a cyclone named Belal.

"Take refuge in the safest room of your homes", the local prefect's office said on social media, adding: "Do not go out on whatever pretext, even if the weather is calm. This is probably the eye of the cyclone."