Cyclone Alert Forces Mauritius to Close Stock Exchange, Airport
Banks and most other business in Mauritius were also shut.
(Bloomberg) -- Mauritius closed its only airport at midday on Monday and the Indian Ocean island nation’s stock exchange was shut for the day after the meteorological service warned that tropical storm Calvinia could intensify into a cyclone.
The center of the storm was situated about 120 kilometers (75 miles) east of Mauritius at 9 a.m. local time, the Mauritius Meteorological Services said on its website. It warned that the island could experience winds gusting up to 120 kilometers an hour by early afternoon and localized flooding.
“With a deterioration of weather conditions and the announced closure of the airport at 12:10 p.m., Air Mauritius wishes to inform all passengers that all arrivals and departures have been postponed until further notice,” the state-owned airline said in e-mailed statement. The island is in the midst of its peak tourism season.
The decision to shut the stock exchange was confirmed by its Market Development Manager, Nishan Aubeeluck. Banks and most other business were also shut.
To contact the reporter on this story: Kamlesh Bhuckory in Port Louis at kbhuckory1@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Paul Richardson at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net, Mike Cohen, John Viljoen
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