Weather forecasters in Mauritius are being criticised by people all over Mauritius for failing to issue a weather warning for the heavy rains – with thunderstorms – that battered the island on Thursday 26 January.
The outcry, mostly calling for disciplinary action against the Mauritius Meteorological Services, came after the latter removed heavy rain watch earlier in the morning.
On the eve, hundreds of thousands of school children had been told to stay at home, over fears of heavy rains.
Port Louis. Source: Internet
As the Met Office removed the warning on Thursday morning, it started pouring down, catching everyone by surprise.
Faced with a downpour of criticisms, the Met Office claimed that only “moderate to locally heavy rain accompanied by isolated thunderstorms were expected mainly to the west, the south and over central plateau.”
However, images and videos circulating on the net showed numerous flooded areas around the island.
Even the Metro Express was brought to a halt. Photo: Internet
The motorway near Caudan Waterfront roundabout had been closed for traffic while several vehicles were reportedly trapped along flooded roads.
A water truck was reportedly trapped at Le Morne. The driver and the passengers managed to climb on top of the vehicle before being rescued.
Fallen trees were recorded at Chemin-Grenier, Triolet and St-Paul. Images of several cars being trapped in the business area of Ebene have also been circulating on social media.
“They are just an incompetent bunch. Our neighbours in Reunion Island were already aware, through Metro France, that our two islands would face heavy rainfall,” said several parents.
Visibility was very poor in several regions. Photo: Internet
According to the National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC), officers of the Special Mobile Force were working to clear the road.
Several mainstream media also reported that a 90-year-old woman was carried away by a sudden overflow of a river at Eau Coulee, near Curepipe. Her lifeless body of 90-year-old Ameenabee Mohoboob was recovered by the Mauritius Police Task Force (MPTF) and the Special Mobile Force (SMF).
The Met Office issued a ‘Special Weather Builletin’ at 7.30pm on Thursday to state a “torrential rain warning is in force in Mauritius.”
Active clouds associated with the instability zone would continue to influence the weather over the island.
The warning is valid until 5am, Friday 27 Jan.
It also revealed that several areas had received over 75mm of rain:
Quatres Bornes: 76 mm
Bambous Virieux: 83.7mm
Moka: 86 mm
Wooton: 102 mm
Vacoas: 80 mm
These moderate to heavy rains, it added, will persist during the night accompanied by thunderstorms.
According to l’Express, schools could be closed tomorrow Friday 27 January. An official statement from the Ministry of Education was being awaited.
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The information and opinions expressed in our published works are those of authors/sources believed to be reliable. NewsMoris makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information expressed.
