Water Crisis Grips Rodrigues as Mourouk Reservoir Production Plummets by 50%

RODRIGUES — A severe water shortage has hit Rodrigues as production at the Mourouk reservoir crashed by 50% amid soaring temperatures and a significant lack of rainfall.

The island is currently grappling with a dual crisis of dwindling supply and rising demand.

Local meteorological reports indicate that high temperatures and declining precipitation have led to a substantial rainfall deficit, directly impacting the volume of water available for distribution to residents.

Government Response and Infrastructure

Deputy Chief Commissioner Johnson Roussety visited the reservoir on Wednesday to assess the situation firsthand.

Acknowledging the “difficult situation” facing all inhabitants, Roussety pointed to a combination of climate factors and technical hurdles.

“We are in a period of lower rainfall compared to last year, while demand is increasing due to the intense heat,” Roussety stated.

While the administration has increased desalinated water capacity from 500 m³ in 2022 to 3,000 m³ today, technical issues continue to plague the desalination process.

Roussety noted that while efforts to optimise the system are ongoing, the current shortfall is beyond the government’s control.

Relief Measures and Future Projects

To mitigate the impact on the local economy—particularly the vital tourism sector—private water tankers have been deployed to supplement the network.

The government has outlined a two-pronged strategy to address the deficit:

• Desalination Expansion: A project to boost capacity at Pointe-Coton is underway, with a target operational date of mid-June.
• Resource Management: Officials are calling for an equitable distribution of water to ensure “justice” in how the remaining resource is shared.

A Plea for Patience

The Deputy Chief Commissioner urged the population to remain understanding as the island awaits relief from the skies.

“We hope to have rain as soon as possible,” he said, reiterating that the rainfall deficit remains the primary obstacle to restoring full service.

Source: l’Express