The day Mauritius stopped and almost got swept away by torrential rains

On Friday 27 January 2023, Mauritian authorities issued an order to direct every person in the water-stressed island to remain indoors, except for authorised persons engaged essential emergency situations. 

That implied the closure of all schools, public and private enterprises.

The bold order came after the Mauritius Meteorological Services warned that the prevailing weather conditions with active clouds would continue to influence weather in Mauritius. More than 100mm of rainfall have been recorded in several stations around the island.

But the order was more than a security warning.

“Any person who contravenes this Order or any direction of the National Emergency operations Command shall commit and offence and shall, on conviction, be liable Ito a fine of up to Rs100,000 and to imprisonment for a term of up to 2 years,” it said.

The warning is valid until 5am, Saturday 28 Jan.

During the day, several regions across the island were badly hit by torrential rain prompting widespread flooding and evacuations.

The downpour in Mauritius shifted houses, stalled traffic and cut power to homes and businesses.

The body of a 90-year-old woman was found on Thursday, while footage online showed people trapped in waist-deep floodwater and rescuers carrying out evacuations.

Overwhelmed

Infrastructure and emergency services alike have been overwhelmed by the impacts of the downpour.

Local media reported that firemen have fielded over 1,000 calls for assistance. Some 65 teams of the Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force and National Coast Guard were also deployed around the island to help. So far, some 161 operations had been conducted.

Flights into and out of Mauritius were nonetheless maintained.

Major roads were also blocked off by the floods in Port Louis, Quatre Bornes, Flacq, among others.

Mauritius Meteorological Services announced at 4.30pm that “the airmass over our region remains moist and unstable, conducive for the formation of active clouds in the vicinity of the island.”

It expects cloudy tonight with showers over the whole island, heavy at times accompanied by thunderstorms.

A  temporary break is expected on Saturday morning, it said, adding that rainy episodes with thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon mainly in the East, the South and over the Central Plateau.

Incompetence

While the Met Office continues to face serious accusations of incompetence, PM Pravind Jugnauth told a press conference during that “recent drainage works have worked and prevented many houses from being drowned.”

The statement reportedly did not go down well among those who have been complaining of authorities’ slackness.

Residents of Montée S. in Richelieu took to the streets and blocked the main road leading to the western regions. They criticised and denounced inexistent drainage system in their village – which has led to accumulation of water in their homes.

Some 1,087 people reportedly sought refuge in 10 emergency centres across the island.

Sources: Le Mauricien, Defi Media, l’Express