Flash Floods Ravage Mauritius; Government and Emergency Services Respond
Flash Floods Ravage Mauritius; Government and Emergency Services Respond
Roads such as the St-Félix Coastal Road, Chamarel Road/Le Choisy, Le Batellage, Souillac, and Surinam have been closed to traffic.
Port Louis, MAURITIUS - Heavy rain and flash floods are currently wreaking havoc in the southern, central, and western regions of Mauritius, leading to water accumulations in flood-prone areas, writes Naome Chisala.
In St-Félix, a staggering 123 mm of rain was recorded, while Grand-Bassin, Le Morne, and Rivière-Noire experienced 56 mm, 45 mm, and 55 mm of rain, respectively.
Water accumulations have also been reported in central regions such as Souillac, Suriname, and Rivière-des-Anguilles.
In Quatre Bornes, part of the wall of the Saint-Jean cemetery collapsed due to water accumulations on the adjacent road, damaging several tombs.
The National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC) stated that water accumulations, muddy water, and fallen trees have rendered several roads in the south unworkable, including the Choisy road to Chamarel, the main road to St.
Félix, and the main road to Souillac. Police, Special Mobile Force (SMF) units, and the Mauritius Fire and Rescue Services (MFRS) are working tirelessly to rescue and evacuate affected citizens.
NEOC has urged road users to take all necessary precautions and remain vigilant. Several roads in the south of Mauritius, especially those connecting Chamarel to Choisy and St Félix, are unworkable due to water accumulation.
Roads such as the St-Félix Coastal Road, Chamarel Road/Le Choisy, Le Batellage, Souillac, and Surinam have been closed to traffic.
Pravind Rughoo, NEOC’s Communications Manager, has cautioned the public to avoid high-risk areas such as open fields, hiking trails, and sheltering under trees during thunderstorms.
The MFRS has rescued four people trapped by the flash floods and responded to seven cases of water accumulation in Rivière-des-Galets, Chemin-Grenier, Surinam, Riambel, and Chamouny.
They have also rescued individuals trapped in homes in Beekary Street, Souillac, and Dr Sinatambou’s alley, and evacuated two people stuck in a house in Rivière-des-Galets. They have also assisted two patients in Roche-Terre and Vacoas.
In a televised message on national television, Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth reiterated that his government’s top concern is to secure the safety of all citizens. He indicated that emergency services deployed recorded more than 100 interventions.
He appealed to the public to be vigilant and to listen to instructions from authorities, especially road users.
“The emergency services are on alert and prepared for any eventuality,” said Jugnauth.
He also appealed for citizens’ cooperation to facilitate the emergency services on the ground.