The flooding on Sunday, April 21 has highlighted the crucial importance of releasing the “Land Drainage Master Plan”, a detailed report drafted by Australian experts on flood-prone areas in Mauritius.
Despite a parliamentary inquiry by resigned opposition leader Xavier-Luc Duval on June 16, 2022, Minister of Public Infrastructure Bobby Hurreeram had allegedly refused to prioritise transparency.
To this day, many residents are unsure if their homes are in a red zone, potentially susceptible to flooding.
In 2022, the Land Drainage Authority had already published a list of 306 flood-prone areas, classified on a scale of 1 to 5, including 62 high-risk zones.
However, this information was not widely disseminated, leaving the population uncertain of the actual risks.
L’Express has published a list of updated flood-prone areas to help better understand the extent of the problem.
Tender calls still pending
In December 2022, tender calls were launched for areas including Tranquebar, Morcellement Raffray, Baie-du-Tombeau, Terre-Rouge, Cottage Phase 2, Camp-Thorel, and others.
Only 12% of drainage projects in these areas have been completed in the past three financial years, according to the Audit report. In March 2023, tender calls were launched for additional areas, but these projects are still in the planning stage.
Minister Hurreeram stated that 539 drainage projects out of 1,742 have been completed over the past five years, with 114 ongoing and 150 in the tender process.
Despite discrepancies noted by the Audit office, Hurreeram emphasised progress in addressing flood management in high-risk areas.
Only 4% of the 968 planned drainage projects by the National Development Unit (NDU) have reportedly been completed, costing Rs 457 million, according to the Audit report.
This means that residents in high-risk areas have not received the necessary drainage installations within the expected timeline for the 2022-23 period.
In the previous year, the Land Drainage Authority (LDA) allocated Rs 7.685 billion for 55 projects, with 26 identified in high flood risk zones.
However, two years later, none of these projects have been completed, with only two at the construction stage.
Relief in Flood-Prone Areas
Infrastructure works have provided some relief during recent floods in Fond-du-Sac, although further actions are needed.
Similarly, Gokhoola, previously vulnerable, has seen improvements with completed drainage projects.
Tranquebar, rated as a high-risk area, experienced a house collapse and endangered neighboring homes during the recent floods.
Despite tender calls for drainage construction in the area since December 2022, only a fraction of the work has been completed, showing the urgent need for action in inundation mitigation efforts.
Capital Neighborhoods Face Vulnerability Despite Delayed Drainage Projects
Ruisseau Créole, Ruisseau du Pouce, Casernes, and Rue la Poudrière, located in the capital, have been rated as high-risk areas since 2021.
According to the Audit report, projects for Ruisseau du Pouce, Mgr Leen region, and Casernes are still in the design phase.
Additionally, infrastructure identified as causing flooding in the city center remains despite recommendations for demolition, including structures along Ruisseau du Pouce, a building housing a restaurant, and two parking lots built over a canal meant for rainwater drainage.
Place d’Armes/Caudan
In March 30, 2013, floods at Place d’Armes and Caudan resulted in 11 fatalities. On January 15, during Cyclone Belal, the areas were once again inundated with muddy water and debris, rendering roads impassable and vehicles submerged. Similar scenes occurred during recent heavy rains. However, 11 years later, no significant progress has been made.
Drainage projects from Place d’Armes to Caudan are still in the submission phase, as indicated by the Audit report.
The additional outlet project from Place d’Armes to Caudan, assigned to the Road Development Authority (RDA), also remains pending.
Vallée-des-Prêtres
Located north of Port Louis, Vallée-des-Prêtres is rated as highly vulnerable. Residents express frustration over the lack of drainage systems, unpaved roads, and absence of bridges.
Despite repeated calls for improvements over the years, no action has been taken. The Drain Infrastructure Construction Ltd (DICL) has not met its objectives to address flooding issues in various regions, including Vallée-des-Prêtres. According to the Audit report, 17 drainage construction projects are still in the design stage, with Vallée-des-Prêtres included.
Albion
Facing significant water accumulation during the rainy season, Albion on the northwest coast has experienced worsened flooding due to new residential developments, necessitating an effective drainage system.
Residents were severely affected by recent floods, highlighting the urgent need for proper drainage infrastructure.
Albion is among the 968 drainage projects planned by the National Development Unit (NDU) that have not been completed.
An investigation has been ongoing since May 2023 to implement flood prevention and mitigation measures in the area.
Projects Delayed, Residents Left Vulnerable to Flooding in Mauritius
Plans for appointing a consultant have been put on hold, leaving crucial drainage projects in suspense in various regions across Mauritius.
Pointe-aux-Sables
Areas like Résidence Débarcadère and Résidence Richelieu, remain flood-prone, with recent heavy rains causing significant inundation.
Classified as a high-risk area on a scale of 1 to 5 by the Land Drainage Authority (LDA), Pointe-aux-Sables ranks at 5, yet construction of essential drainage systems and sustainable solutions in these flood-prone zones is still pending.
Tender calls for drainage construction have not even been initiated, leaving residents living in fear with each downpour.
Canal-Dayot
Residents previously experienced devastating floods in March 2013 due to newly constructed drains overflowing, resulting in significant damage.
In 2019, Canal-Dayot was designated as a high-risk flood zone by the LDA. Despite efforts by the National Development Unit (NDU) to rehabilitate Canal-Dayot in 2018, including river widening, cleaning, and construction of drains, heavy rains in March 2022 caused renewed flooding.
Recommendations for reinforcing flood defenses along the residential area of Canal-Dayot have been made, with plans in place to raise embankments by a meter for approximately 400 meters.
Although a consultant was hired in April 2022 for project oversight, and an entrepreneur designated for construction in May 2022, work on the project, costing Rs 13.7 million, has yet to commence.
The Council of Ministers noted in September 2023 that rehabilitation works were halted due to property owners refusing access, with only nine out of thirteen property owners granting permission.
Despite these efforts, residents continue to face flooding during cyclones like Belal and recent heavy rains.
Petite-Rivière
In response to flooding risks, a temporary water drainage system has been under construction since 2023 in Petite-Rivière to prevent water accumulation and subsequent inundations.
Ranked as a moderately vulnerable area on a scale of 1 to 5, residents in Petite-Rivière still await long-term flood prevention measures.
NHDC Residential Complexes Flooded, Drainage Projects Missing from LDA Agenda
Two residential complexes built by the National Housing Development Company (NHDC) were flooded in January 2023, with water accumulation reaching several homes and yards last Sunday.
Despite these incidents, there are no drainage construction projects planned for the locality as announced by the Land Drainage Authority (LDA).
Pailles/Bell-Village
Areas along the Port Louis highway, Pailles, and Bell-Village, were severely affected by heavy rains last Sunday.
On January 15, flooding in Pailles resulted in one fatality. Floods caused the closure of the M1 highway at Camp-Chapelon and the A1 road near the Bell-Village overpass.
These regions are rated at level 3 and 2, respectively. Currently, there are no drainage or water evacuation projects listed on the LDA’s agenda for these areas.
St-Jean/Quatre-Bornes
Although not classified as highly flood-prone, recent years have seen flooding along the road bordering the St-Jean cemetery.
In November last year, part of the cemetery wall collapsed, leading to further damage to graves.
The wall was still under reconstruction when, in January, another section collapsed, flooding houses and even carrying a tomb into a resident’s yard. Last Sunday, the cemetery was once again inundated.
Efforts to prevent wall collapses have been made, including the installation of water tankers at Broad Avenue in 2023, but the wall collapsed twice regardless.
Additionally, a stalled drainage system project connecting Old Moka Road to Rivière Sèche for flood control in St-Jean cemetery and neighboring areas, with an estimated cost of Rs 65 million, has been allocated to Gamma Civic for completion within 18 months.
Souillac/Chemin-Grenier
The South is heavily impacted by heavy rains, with regions like Souillac and Chemin-Grenier facing challenges.
The Batelage road in Souillac becomes impassable during heavy downpours, leading to muddy water infiltrating homes and yards.
Residents of Chemin-Grenier have endured similar issues for a decade. Urgent drainage projects were initiated in 2021 after flooding, but faced delays due to the lack of suitable contractors.
While work has begun, authorities cite ongoing delays due to the need to relocate pipes for excavation.
Source: l’Express
