Indian Ocean: Severe Tropical Storm Eleanor tracking south-southwestward to the northeast of Mauritius as of early Feb. 22 /update 2

Severe Tropical Storm Eleanor is tracking south-southwestward in the western Indian Ocean to the northeast of Mauritius early Feb. 22. As of 07:00 MUT, the storm's center of circulation was approximately 207 km (129 miles) east-northeast of Port Louis, Mauritius.

Forecast models indicate the system will strengthen as a severe tropical storm as it continues to track south-southwestward, passing east of Mauritius' main island Feb. 22. Eleanor is forecast to weaken back to a moderate tropical storm Feb. 23 before turning to track west-northwestward and dissipating after passing south of Reunion Feb. 24-25. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast; significant changes could occur in the coming days.

The Mauritius Meteorological Service has issued a class three (out of four classes) cyclone warning for Mauritius as of early Feb. 22. The weather is forecast to be overcast with intermittent rain, moderate at times, before deteriorating quickly with scattered heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms from the morning of Feb. 22. The rainfall could result in accumulations of water and flooding. A heavy rain watch and strong wind warning have also been issued for Rodrigues Island.

Meteo France La Reunion has a yellow pre-cyclone alert (the lowest level on a four-tier scale) across the territory. Yellow heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings are in place for southeastern areas and yellow rough sea warnings along the east coast. Officials will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as the storm progresses.

Air Mauritius (MK) announced the cancellation of flights departing from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and London Gatwick (LGW) to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) in Mauritius Feb. 21. The airline has also canceled flights departing from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai Feb. 22. The airline brought forward the flight from MRU to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg from 09:25 to 06:00 Feb. 22. Further cancellations, delays, and rescheduling of flights are likely over the coming days. The airline has offered all passengers traveling through Feb. 29 the opportunity to change their flight to another on the same route before March 31 free of charge.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas and those with easily overwhelmed drainage systems. Localized evacuations, flash flooding, and landslides are possible. The inclement weather could trigger localized business, transport, and utility disruptions, rendering some bridges or roadways impassable. Flight disruptions at regional airports and temporary closures of ports are also possible. Stagnant pools of water during and after flooding increase insect- and waterborne diseases, such as dengue fever, cholera, and malaria. Raw sewage and other hazardous materials mixed with floodwaters pose a serious health threat.