The Prime Minister held a press briefing at around 2.30 pm yesterday from the National Emergency Operations Command. He said that the country is going through an extreme weather situation with rapidly changing weather conditions.
He stated that for the authorities, the priority remains the safety of the population. Hence, the announcement yesterday, Pravind Jugnauth added, that there will be no school this Friday.
The Prime Minister announced that some regions, such as Quatre-Bornes and Moka, have recorded more than 250 mm of rain and others, such as Wooton and Vacoas, more than 300 mm.
He said that after assessing the situation, the National Crisis Committee decided early this morning to take the decision to prevent people not employed in essential services from going out. He said that several areas are at risk and people should not be careless or irresponsible.
He also indicated that 15 roads are currently impassable. He added that various units of the police, the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service and the National Coast Guard are working hard. “There have been over 161 interventions since yesterday”, he said.
Pravind Jugnauth also announced that there are 10 shelter centers in operation. As of 13:30, there were 766 people in these shelters. The PM said that the torrential rain warning will remain in place for the time being and he has reiterated his appeal to the public not to venture out.
The PM also acknowledges that the houses of several citizens have been flooded and that the material losses are inestimable. “I sympathize with all those whose homes have been flooded due to the heavy rains that have hit the country in recent days. I also send my sincere condolences to the families of the nonagenarian who drowned in a river last Thursday.
