We are at risk of a major deterioration of the weather as from this Thursday 06 January until Monday 10 January. “Showers, accompanied by thunderstorms, sometimes becoming violent,” said the Meteorological Station of Vacoas. It will affect the whole island with an intensity on the central plateau and the southern part of the island.
What to expect
According to the special communiqué issued on Wednesday afternoon, it will be “very likely” to have risks of water accumulation until Sunday. The station explains the presence of a large area of weak circulation with intense convection from northern Madagascar to about 60 degrees East. “The convective activity extends from Madagascar to the western Mascarene region. Most numerical forecast models predict the development of a shallow low-pressure area east of Madagascar by Friday morning. This area of low pressure, which oscillates around the same location without intensifying, will establish a light northerly flow over our region, causing very wet and unstable weather over Mauritius until Monday 10 January 2022.” The bad weather could even persist until Tuesday 11 January.
We strongly advise against going out to sea, as well as venturing onto plains and wooded areas during these stormy periods. Motorists are also warned to be cautious of slippery roads and fog.
Authorities on alert
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre is already preparing an action plan that will declare Alert Level 1 as soon as the heavy rains appear. When this alert level is announced, the National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC) will go into action. It brings together the Mauritius Police Force, the Special Mobile Force, the Central Electricity Board, the Central Water Authority, Mauritius Telecom, the Local Government and the Meteorological Services, but also the Mauritius Fire Services and Rescue Services, the Swift Water Rescue Unit, the Mauritius Police Response Unit, and the National Coast Guard. There will also be arrangements by social bodies for the opening of refuge centers. The country is expecting the worst!
