Mother Nature has not been very calm during the past few days and does not seem to calm down any sooner. Indeed, Mauritius has been facing torrential rains, which have been causing flooding in various places across the country. Since then, the National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC) has been on alert 2, thus, mobilizing the responders in case of needed rescue and evacuation operations.
Valid until 4 p.m. this Tuesday, January 11, a heavy rainfall warning was in effect for the south, southeast, and central plateau. This alert was issued at 10:15 a.m. by the Vacoas weather station. Since this morning, it has been raining heavily in some regions of the South including Chemin-Grenier, Rose-Belle, Nouvelle France, La Flora, Surinam, Bois-Chéri.
No sign of improvement until Thursday. This is what the Vacoas weather station predicts.
“The low-pressure zone is still located in the northeast of Madagascar. […] The presence of this shallow depression will maintain very humid and unstable atmospheric conditions favoring active cloud developments in our region“, says the weather service in a statement issued yesterday Monday 10th January afternoon… “Sporadic scattered showers will persist until Thursday. These showers are likely to become locally strong at times with thunderstorms. The risk of temporary water accumulation in some low-lying flood-prone areas remains high during heavy downpours. Mauritius’ meteorological services may consider issuing a warning of heavy rains in the short term“, said the Vacoas station.
These showers caused water accumulations. As a result, firefighters were mobilized to evacuate water from places that were flooded. The assistance of special mobile force elements was also requested to assist the firefighters, according to Pravind Rughoo, the communications officer at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre. He requested the inhabitants of the affected regions to remain cautious and not to venture into rivers or other streams. He asked motorists to be vigilant on the road especially in the southern regions because the risk of “aquaplaning” was real. For example, in Chemin-Grenier, the inhabitants of the locality denounce the “inaction” of the authorities concerning the problems they face whenever there are heavy rainfalls. For several years now, this region has often been underwater.
One of the locals watched helplessly this morning as the waters rose in his backyard. Firefighters from the St-Aubin fire stations evacuated nearly 36,000 litres of water in this region this morning, confirmed the authorities.
With the persisting situation, the NEOC asks the public to follow these guidelines:
- Do not venture into risk areas, especially along rivers and streams that could be flooding or regions prone to flooding;
- Head to high places if the water continues to rise rapidly and prepare a first aid kit in case of evacuation;
- Avoid traveling to areas with a high risk of landslides to areas with water accumulation hazards;
- Motorists are asked to be vigilant in case of fog pockets and water accumulations. The road remains slippery in some places;
- Avoid puddles because they often cause breakdowns on the road and cause traffic jams;
- During thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees where structures are erected and ensure that electrical appliances are disconnected;
The public is asked to listen to the authorities concerned through the media and mobile applications (Emergency Alert and My.T Weather available on App Store and Google Play). If necessary, it is also advisable to contact the authorities on the following emergency lines: the police on 148, 999, and the firefighters on 115.
Rainfalls in mm from 10th January 4 pm to 11th January 4 pm in some regions are as follows:
Chitrakoot: 31.1; MOKA: 24; Mon Bois: 147.2; SSR Air Port : 22.4 ; Quatre-Bornes : 32.1 ; Riche en Eau : 67.8 ; Rose-Belle : 93.8 ; St Felix : 98 ; among others.
The public is requested to remain cautious.
