Raise of the sea level around Mauritius

Hello Lokolo1,

There are some huge concrete barriers that have been built in the South (Rivière des Galets, if i recall) there's no lagoon in some region (no coral reefs) and the sea has been slowly moving inwards.

The coral reefs acts as a barrier even though coastal erosion can be seen everywhere. Beaches are often secured with plants, rocks, sand bags etc, I don't know if it will work in the long run...

For people interested in buying pieds dans l'eau properties or in marinas, they should think twice....

Have a nice day,
Anoushka

Thanks for your reply. Concrete barriers were built in rivière des galets indeed, as well as in Saint Martin.
For sure I would avoid to live too close to the sea, but I am also concerned with the fact that if beaches disappear from Mauritius, this island would become of no interest for tourists, and real estate would lose its value.
On the other hand, this country seems economically healthy, so would have money to find and implement solutions. Or not…

Mauritius depends "too much" on tourism...Covid-19 has shown us how and why. In the years to come, we need to diversify.

Concerning coastal erosion and "disappearance" of beaches due to rising level of the sea, surely authorities will come up with a solution. In some places, artificial beaches have already been created, crown lands are also an option (example Caudan/mer rouge, Mahebourg Waterfront), we will perhaps get to see more of these kinds of man made structures.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_reclamation

Average rise of sea level in the Indian Ocean is 7 mm/year but if you add the perfect storm with a high tide and wind factor , the fact that the coral reef is already dying because of coral bleaching due to higher water / air temperatures and pollution , depending on the local topography, I suggest to be very cautious to buy ¨pieds dans l'eau¨as it might soon become ¨pieds sous l'eau!
Everyone here is selling their property on the sea....guess there must be a good reason.

Cosmos Chile Team wrote:

Average rise of sea level in the Indian Ocean is 7 mm/year but if you add the perfect storm with a high tide and wind factor , the fact that the coral reef is already dying because of coral bleaching due to higher water / air temperatures and pollution , depending on the local topography, I suggest to be very cautious to buy ¨pieds dans l'eau¨as it might soon become ¨pieds sous l'eau!
Everyone here is selling their property on the sea....guess there must be a good reason.

You have hit the nail on the head. But as you know Mauritians in general will ignore as they do not understand the concept of generational wealth.

Cosmos Chile Team wrote:

Average rise of sea level in the Indian Ocean is 7 mm/year but if you add the perfect storm with a high tide and wind factor , the fact that the coral reef is already dying because of coral bleaching due to higher water / air temperatures and pollution , depending on the local topography, I suggest to be very cautious to buy ¨pieds dans l'eau¨as it might soon become ¨pieds sous l'eau!
Everyone here is selling their property on the sea....guess there must be a good reason.

Except for those so-called investors who buy an apt or penthouse in these buildings along the coast at MRU 50M a pop hoping to make money off tourism . They were renting  in USD or Euros per night during the holidays and now they want a long term rental ( mostly from expats) between MUR 150K to 300 K per month. Good. luck paying off those mortgages

Very interesting, thank you