Super typhoon Horacio has just strengthened to level 5 - the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson tropical storm scale.
According to the latest storm news from the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Hurricane Horacio reached its peak intensity at the end of February with sustained winds of about 260 km/h. The storm moved at a speed of about 19 km/h, with maximum sea waves of up to 11.6 m.
The super typhoon formed from a low pressure area east of the island of Rodrigues on February 18 and was named on February 19. After that, the typhoon underwent a rapid intensification process for about 48 hours when moving over very warm waters.
As of the morning of February 24 (local time), the center of Typhoon Horacio is about 315 km southeast of Rodrigues Island and is moving southward over the open sea.
Typhoon forecasts show that the system has passed its peak intensity and will gradually weaken in the next 48 hours when it enters cooler waters and endures stronger winds.
Although not directly threatening the mainland, the outer circulation of the storm has caused gusts of about 100 km/h in Rodrigues, with waves 6-8 m high.
The Mauritius Meteorological Agency has issued a high wave warning, noting that offshore waves can reach about 7 m and affect low coastal areas when tides rise. Authorities recommend that ships and marine tourism activities temporarily stay away from dangerous areas.
For international tourists, it should be noted that Hurricane Horacio is currently far from popular tourist routes and does not pose a direct risk to mainland destinations in the region.
However, if you plan to travel to the sea in the southwest Indian Ocean in the coming days, tourists should regularly update new storm news, follow maritime warnings and follow local authorities' instructions, especially for activities such as diving, boating or coastal sightseeing.
Previously, Super Typhoon Errol reached Category 5 intensity off the northwest coast of Australia on April 16, 2025.
On average, in the period 1990-2025, the world recorded about 5.3 tropical cyclones of level 5 each year; in 2025 alone, there were 5 storms, including super typhoons Melissa - the most destructive in 2025, super Erin and Humberto in the Atlantic; super typhoon Ragasa in the Northwest Pacific and super typhoon Errol in the South Indian Ocean.
Climate scientists believe that rising ocean temperatures may increase the rate of strong storms of level 4-5 in the future, although not all strong storms are directly caused by climate change.
Currently, storm forecasts show that Horacio will continue to weaken and gradually shift to post-tropical status as it moves deep south over the southern Indian Ocean.
