Cyclone Garance, a category 3 cyclone carrying gusts of up to 70 kilometers an hour, was on Thursday deemed a "direct threat" to the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and La Reunion, placing both countries on high alert and prompting a race to stockpile of essentials.

Mauritius International Airport has been closed following a class 3 cyclone alert as Cyclone Garance approaches the island.

Cyclone Garance is approaching Mauritius, and authorities have been forced to close the island's only airport, leaving tourists unable to depart. All flights to and from Mauritius have been cancelled.