The Vacoas meteorological station issued a heavy rainfall warning on Sunday 13 March. The Ministry of Education announced in a press release that there will be no classes on Monday for pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary schools, as well as training centres. The heavy rainfall warning issued at 1:20pm today remains valid until tomorrow.
Within minutes on Sunday, houses were flooded, roads were blocked causing considerable material damage, and cars were trapped by the mud and the sudden rise in water. The heavy downpour caused water to accumulate in several parts of the country, especially in the suburbs of the capital. Submerged bridges and roads were impassable and closed to traffic within hours.
The fire brigade had to intervene in about fifteen places. The Special Mobile Force (SMF) intervened in Canal Dayot, Sainte-Croix, Cottage, Cité-La-Cure. The most affected areas are Port-Louis, Sainte-Croix, Petite-Rivière, Terre Rouge, le Hochet, Vallée Des Prêtres, Pointe-aux-Sables, Richelieu… An operation is underway by the SMF in the Black River Gorges to rescue about 30 people. According to the National Emergency Operations Command, four people were rescued and evacuated from a house in Morcellement Ramlagan, Vallée des Prêtres by the NCG. Two more people have been rescued at Canal Dayot by the SMF, which is also currently rescuing five people at Dauguet. Pumping exercises are also taking place, notably in Moka and other parts of the island.
The convergence of humidity over our region is keeping active clouds developing over the island. Thus, the heavy rainfall warning for Mauritius issued at 16:30 on Sunday 13 March 2022, will be valid until noon on Monday 14 March 2022. The general public is advised not to venture into areas at risk, especially along rivers and streams which may be at flood stage or areas prone to flooding.
In case of need, the public is also advised to contact the authorities on the following emergency lines: the Police on 148, 999 and the Fire Brigade on 115.
Some of the highest rainfall figures recorded between 1300 and 1600 hours are:
- Port Louis: 76 mm
- Champs de Mars: 52 mm
- Chitrakoot: 111 mm
- Bois Mangues: 60 mm
- Domaine les Pailles: 86 mm
- Montagne Signaux: 97 mm
- Mon Loisir Rouillard: 85 mm
- Nouvelle Decouverte: 75 mm
- Moka: 82 mm
- Mon Bois: 111 mm
- Quatre Bornes: 45mm
- Vacoas: 96 mm
- Wooton: 75 mm
