5+ Years Flooding Ahead: Canal-Dayot Residents Face Possible Relocation

A recent visit to Canal-Dayot by officials from the Land Drainage Authority, Road Development Authority, National Development Unit, CCPL, and Port-Louis Municipality left residents disappointed. Many still hope that their concerns, expressed through several letters to authorities, will lead to meaningful action.

During the meeting’s closing moments, Junior Minister Fabrice David surprised attendees by suggesting that relocating residents living along the Canal-Dayot banks might be a better solution.

He argued that moving residents would cost less than the expenses involved in raising the Retaining Wall, expanding the Russell Bridge, or diverting part of the St-Louis River water into the GRNO.

Technicians involved in the project explained that, despite ongoing works, the threat of flooding could persist for up to five years or more.

At the end of the week, a delegation including Junior Ministers Fabrice David and Kugan Parapen (from the Social Integration Ministry), along with four new Ward 2 municipal councillors, visited Canal-Dayot to meet residents and discuss the recurring flooding during rainy periods. It is clear that Canal-Dayot remains vulnerable to heavy rains.

Before the meeting, government technicians conducted a quick inspection of the area. However, an incident of apparent protest occurred when some Port-Louis municipal officials were criticized for neglecting to clean certain drains for a long time.

Frustrated, they decided to leave, telling Councillor Rukshare Madarbaccus to speak directly to the Lord Mayor—an unexpected move that surprised those present and some police officers.

The officials’ focus was on preventing water from backing up onto the main road, but they acknowledged that no underground passage exists for drainage under the road, making proper water flow difficult.

During the meeting, while defending the National Development Unit’s efforts, a representative struggled to identify effective solutions to help residents affected by the frequent floods.

Source: Le Mauricien