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Reservoir Water Levels Plunge by 14.7 Million m³ in 12 Months
Mauritius is facing a severe water crisis as major reservoirs plummet towards critical levels ahead of the dry season, official figures have revealed.
Data from the Water Resources Commission—a body operating under the Ministry of Public Utilities and Energy—confirms that the country’s water supply has dragged well below the long-term average of 68.2 m³, excluding Bagatelle.
The overall national water storage breakdown shows:
- Current Global Capacity: 67.1%
- Current Total Volume: 61.9 m³
- 2025 Volume (Same Period): 76.58 m³
- Year-on-Year Deficit: A sharp drop of approximately 14.7m³
Strategic Reservoirs Near Critical Thresholds
The deteriorating situation has put the network under intense pressure, with several key sites hovering just above or falling below the 50% critical mark.
This is a stark contrast to last year, when levels were significantly higher.
- Mare-aux-Vacoas (The country’s largest reservoir)
- Total Capacity: 25.89 m³
- Current Level: 49.5% (12.82 m³)
- La Ferme
- Current Level: 51.6% (5.94 m³)
- La Nicolière
- Current Level: 51.9% (2.73 m³) (Down from 100% capacity at this time in 2025)
Stable Reserves and Environmental Outlook
While some dams continue to hold healthier supplies, authorities note they are insufficient to offset the deficits recorded elsewhere across the island.
The better-performing sites are holding at:
- Mare-Longue: 86.3%
- Piton-du-Milieu: 84.6%
- Midlands: 82.4%
- Bagatelle: 77.6%
Hopes for a reprieve were dashed at the end of last week when rainfall across Mauritius was recorded as low or entirely non-existent in several regions, failing to provide any meaningful recharge to aquifers and reservoirs.
Against a backdrop of increased climate variability, water resource management has become a central challenge for the island.
Facing a significantly more strained environment than in 2025, authorities have issued an urgent call for responsible water usage to avert the implementation of mandatory water restrictions in the coming months.
Source: Defi Media
