A recent study by the Land Drainage Authority (LDA) has identified 306 flood-prone zones in Mauritius, with 62 of these being classified as high risk. This article explores how these vulnerabilities affect residents and suggests ways to better prepare and manage flood risks.
Risk area mapping
Port-Louis: A high-risk zone
Recent flooding in Port-Louis underscores the significant stormwater management challenges facing the capital. The tragic house collapse in Tranquebar during the April 21 floods has urgently highlighted the need to bolster infrastructure resilience. Neighborhoods like Ruisseau Créole and Rue la Poudrière are critical areas that require immediate action to avert future disasters.
Despite earlier calls for the demolition of outdated infrastructures, flood mitigation projects in these areas are still in the planning stages, leaving residents facing ongoing threats from rising waters.
In a similar vein, communities south of Port-Louis and along the highways have been hard hit by floods over the past decade, yet no plans for a water drainage system are currently on the government's agenda. Residents of Canal Dayot experienced devastating floods in 2013, and recent floods in Pailles led to a fatality on January 15th. The situation in Pointe-aux-Sables is also concerning, with areas like Résidence Débarcadère and Résidence Richelieu being rated at the highest level of vulnerability.
Tragically, when floods are mentioned in Mauritius, places like Place d'Armes and Caudan Waterfront come to mind. Since the March 2013 disaster, where 11 people died in the floodwaters, there has been little real progress in making these areas more resilient.
The West, South and Centre are also affected
Beyond the Port-Louis district, other areas of the island are vulnerable to rising waters, experiencing regular flooding for several years. Albion, for instance, faces significant water accumulation during the rainy season, a situation worsened by the development of new residential subdivisions. The village is listed among the 968 drainage construction projects planned by the National Development Unit (NDU), but work has yet to begin. The same goes for Petite-Rivière: despite a temporary water evacuation system in place during heavy rains, the village is rated at level 3 vulnerability. Last year, two residential complexes were flooded, and in April, water accumulation in the streets flooded many homes.
As for the central region, although the Quatre-Bornes area is not on the list of very high-risk flood zones, the past two years have seen flooding along the road bordering the St-Jean cemetery. Notably, last November, a section of the cemetery wall collapsed, flooding and destroying graves. The south is no exception. With every episode of heavy rain, the southern part of the country faces severe flooding, with localities like Souillac and Chemin-Grenier frequently affected. The Batelage Road in Souillac then becomes impassable, submerged by waters.
Practical advice for residents and expatriates
For those living in or considering moving to high-risk areas, it's crucial to:
- Stay informed about local evacuation plans and emergency centers.
- Install flood-prevention measures in homes, such as door barriers and submersible pumps.
- Ensure adequate insurance coverage for flood-related damages.
Strengthening resilience against weather events
The recurring nature of floods in Mauritius calls for a unified effort to improve disaster preparedness and response. By enhancing infrastructure and implementing proactive policies, Mauritius can better safeguard its communities from the devastating impacts of floods.
