Indian Ocean: Severe Tropical Storm Eleanor tracking southward to the southeast of Mauritius as of Feb. 22 /update 3

Severe Tropical Storm Eleanor is tracking southward in the western Indian Ocean to the southeast of Mauritius Feb. 22. As of 16:00 MUT, the storm's center of circulation was approximately 191 km (119 miles) southeast of Port Louis, Mauritius.

Forecast models indicate the system will maintain severe tropical storm strength as it tracks south-southwestward further away from Mauritius through Feb. 23, before weakening into a moderate tropical storm as it turns to track westward and then west-northwestward and passes well to the south of Reunion through Feb. 24. Eleanor is expected to weaken further into a tropical depression and then dissipate as it tracks northwestward toward the eastern coast of Madagascar through Feb. 26. Some uncertainty remains in the track and intensity forecast; significant changes could occur in the coming days.

The Mauritius Meteorological Service has discontinued cyclone warnings for Mauritius as the system moves away to the south but is maintaining a cyclone safety message due to the potential for further adverse weather through at least early Feb. 23. Heavy rain and strong wind warnings for Rodrigues Island have also been lifted.

Meteo France La Reunion is maintaining a yellow pre-cyclone alert (the lowest level on a four-tier scale) across the territory through 19:00 Feb. 22. Yellow heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings are also in place for southeastern areas through 19:00 Feb. 22 and yellow rough sea warnings have been issued along the east coast through 13:00 Feb. 23. Officials will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as the storm progresses.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) temporarily suspended operations late Feb. 21-early Feb. 22 as Eleanor passed Mauritius. Air Mauritius (MK) has issued a statement detailing the rescheduling of flights that were canceled over recent days, which can be found here.

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.