“We are not at all out of the cyclone, but we are below the cataclysmic character that we expected”declared the prefect, highlighting a “more favorable weather situation”. “We will remain in its zone of influence in the afternoon, gusts of 140 kilometers per hour are expected in the low areas and 160 kilometers per hour in the high areas. In terms of precipitation, sustained rain is expected throughout the afternoon”said the prefect of the island, Jérôme Filippini, during a videoconference press briefing.
Another reason for relative relief, “Belal should not (…) not reach the stage of intense tropical cyclone »according to the meteorological services, which compare its impact to that of cyclone Firinga in 1989. Reunion has not been hit by an intense cyclone for ten years and the passage of Bejisa in the first days of 2014. “We can see the end of the tunnel emerging if Belal is kind enough not to be teasing and to have surprises in store for us between now and tomorrow. We try to have an approach as close as possible to reality”added Mr. Filippini.