16 Areas at Risk: Land Drainage Master Plan Released

A long-awaited report identifying areas at risk of severe flooding in Mauritiu s is set to be released, sparking concerns about the future value of land in these areas. The Land Drainage Master Plan, which was previously kept secret, will be made public by the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Ajay Gunness, today, August 25, 2025.

The report, which is based on precise topographic data, aims to curb land speculation in areas prone to repeated flooding.

According to a government source for Defi Media, the document details “reliable and real-time data” on the most vulnerable regions.

Once made public, the report is expected to significantly reduce the commercial value of at-risk properties by either banning or severely restricting future construction.

The government has accused its predecessors of delaying the publication of this information. The report comes as Mauritius faces an increase in extreme weather events.

The transparency resulting from its release is seen as a crucial step towards better managing flood risks.

Areas Identified as High-Risk

The report identifies several areas as being highly susceptible to “flash floods,” including some highly sought-after plots of land that are part of large-scale development projects.

While Minister Gunness refused to reveal the report’s key points before his press conference, sources have confirmed that several locations are mentioned.

The report highlights areas that are “prone to heavy floods each and every time when there is heavy rainfall in a few hours,” which have caused irreversible damage.

The Canal Dayot neighbourhood in Grande-Rivière Nord-Ouest is specifically cited as a well-known example of a repeatedly flooded area. Other regions are also mentioned, including:

• The neighbourhood at the foot of the mountain next to Vallée-des-Prêtres.
• The Montagne des Signaux area, affecting homes below the Marie Reine de la Paix monument and extending down Labourdonnais Street.
• Several sectors in the North and West of the island.

The report noted that some of the land in these areas has become marginal and, in some cases, “unsellable” due to its topography.

This is a sensitive issue, as large plots of land belonging to major landowners in fast-developing regions would lose all commercial value if they were officially designated as flood-prone.

Source: Defi Media / Defi Media2