The day of this Thursday, January 26th was eventful for some and traumatic for many Mauritian parents who had to send their children to school despite what seems to be a very bad weather day. Early in the morning, we learnt that the Vacoas station had not issued any alert or vigilance this Thursday.
But very quickly, the weather deteriorated. Flooded roads, fog, reduced visibility, waterspouts, traffic jams, flooded rivers, cars, vans, and trucks trapped by rising waters are the consequences of the downpours across the island since this morning. And sadly, in Eau-Coulée: a 90-year-old woman was swept away by the current after falling into a flooded river. Her body was fished out around 2 pm.
But in the afternoon, Meteo Mauritius had to face the facts. The meteorological station of Vacoas has, at 7:30 pm, issued a warning of torrential rains in Mauritius. Reason: several areas have recorded more than 100 mm of rain. The National Emergency Operations Command has been activated to level III.
Several roads across the country have been declared impassable by the National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC). Old Moka Road (near St. John’s Cemetery) in Quatre Bornes is closed due to water accumulation.
The public is advised to move to higher ground if the water continues to rise rapidly and to prepare a first aid kit in case they need to evacuate.
In addition, pre-primary, primary, secondary, SEN (Special Education Needs) schools, technical and vocational education centers including those of MITD and Polytechnics Mauritius as well as higher education institutions will be closed to students this Friday, January 27.
The National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC) is monitoring the situation closely and asks the public to follow these instructions:
- Stay safe in your homes and do not venture outside.
- Place sandbags (rocksand) to prevent runoff from entering your home.
- Motorists, minimize exits as the road remains slippery, there is debris, water accumulation and pockets of fog;
- The public is advised to move to higher ground if the water continues to rise rapidly and to prepare a first aid kit in case they need to be evacuated.
- The public and children are strongly advised not to venture into areas of high landslide and rockfall hazard and areas of high-water accumulation.
- During thunderstorms, avoid sheltering under trees or tall structures and ensure that your electrical appliances are disconnected; and
- Be aware of the relevant authorities through the media and mobile applications (Emergency Alert and My.T Weather available on App Store and Google Play).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 Mauritius Fire and Rescue Service on 115.
Following the heavy rainfall warning issued by the Vacoas weather station this Thursday evening, January 26, at 7:30 pm, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology informs the public that there will be no classes in pre-primary schools, primary schools, secondary schools, SEN (Special Education Needs) schools, technical and vocational education centers including those of MITD and Polytechnics Mauritius as well as institutions of higher learning, this Friday, January 27, 2023
Recorded rainfall during the last 24 hours yesterday at 19h30.
