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French island of Reunion on red alert as Cyclone Bejisa approaches

Giant waves and heavy winds hit the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion on Thursday, leaving thousands without power and severly injuring one. Six other people suffered minor injuries as incoming cyclone Bejisa churned towards the coast with winds of 150 kilometres (93 miles) and putting the island on red alert.

French Reunion Island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar.
French Reunion Island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Wikimedia Commons
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Preparation for the storm started on Tuesday and the airport has been closed.

State-run power supplier EDF said about 82,000 households on the island had no electricity.

Meteorologists say the cyclone is heading from the north to the south-east of the island and will see its intensity decrease by the time it makes landfall.

Cyclone Dina hit the island in 2002, causing heavy damage, widespread flooding and killing six people.

Meanwhile, parts of France in Brittany is battling flooding after a New Year's storm.

One woman died after a tree fell on a car she was a passenger in during heavy winds.

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