Tropical cyclone Berguitta is forecast to hit the holiday destination of Mauritius on 18 January, according to data supplied by the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
The intense tropical cyclone is also expected to pass dangerously close to Madagascar, only weeks after Tropical Cyclone Ava left 36 dead in the country.
The new tropical threat is currently sitting over the Indian Ocean building winds of up 140 kilometres per hour and wave heights of more than seven metres.
Météo France downgraded cyclone Berguitta on Monday morning but the intensity of the cyclone is expected to change over the next 24 hours.
Rainfall could reach 8-12 inches across the islands, which could lead to flash flooding and mudslides.
Weather expert José García warned Cyclone Berguitta could be the “strongest storm” in Mauritius and Réunion since Dina 2002.
He said: “Pay attention to this storm if on the islands.”
Mauritius Weather said: “The tropical cyclone Berguitta is now moving west-southwest. On this trajectory, the intense tropical cyclone Berguitta approaches Mauritius and represents a direct threat to the island.”
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls warned Cyclone Berguitta could continue strengthening into a Category 4 hurricane as it passes over the Indian Ocean.
Mr Nicholls said the storm “will batter” the island with the most damaging winds and flooding rain to be on Wednesday into Thursday.
He said: “Depending on how far west Berguitta tracks, squally rains, some heavy, could impact southeast Madagascar on Friday, bringing the risk of flash flooding.”
However, the impact of cyclone Berguitta is not expected to be as severe as cyclone Ava.