Powerful tropical cyclone Bansi rages past Mauritius

TORONTO – A powerful tropical cyclone has formed in the Southern Indian Ocean, threatening the small island of Mauritius.

Tropical cyclone Bansi formed on Jan. 11. Tropical storm alerts were issued for the small islands of Mauritius and La Reunion.

Bansi rapidly strengthened and, on Monday, was producing powerful maximum sustained winds of 240 km/h, a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Both Mauritius and La Reunion Island were under advisories calling for heavy rain, high waves and strong winds. Alerts are still in place for Mauritius as the storm remains off the coast of the island.

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Several flights were also disrupted due to the storm.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Bansi is moving northeastward at 7 km/h. However, the storm is expected to take a southereasterly track. It isn’t expected to weaken until Thursday.

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Meanwhile, a tropical depression has also formed in the Philippine Sea and is expected to affect the Philippine islands by Thursday.

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