Cyclone Cilida a menace for Mauritius

We’ve been hearing, since the beginning of the week, that there was a high chance that a cyclone will be a spoilsport for the festivities at the time we are nearing Christmas. Indeed, the moderate tropical storm, which was moving east of Agalega and named Cilida, has intensified into a tropical storm. On Thursday afternoon, the Mauritius Meteorological Services announced that a cyclone warning Class 1 was in force in Mauritius.

According to the Mauritius Meteorological Services, Cilida is moving towards the South westerly direction at about 10 km/h while intensifying. However, it announced that it is expected that there will be a shift in its trajectory towards the southeast on Friday night. On this new trajectory, Cilida will approach close to our region and could pass between Mauritius and Rodrigues on Sunday 23rd December around midday and causing a significant deterioration of the weather on the island.

The public in Mauritius is advised to take the preliminary precautions.

Active cloud bands associated with Cilida will influence the weather in Mauritius as from Friday evening causing passing showers that could become more frequent as from Saturday.

The wind will blow from the East South East at about 25 km/h with gusts reaching 60 km/h in exposed areas. It is expected that the wind will strengthen as from Saturday, blowing gusts that may reach 90 km/h on Sunday morning.

The open sea will become gradually rough by Friday night.

In a meeting with the National Disaster Committee on Thursday morning, the director of the Vacoas weather station, Prem Goolaub, stated that cyclone Cilida is a threat to Mauritius and Rodrigues. He added that the tropical storm is in an environment conducive to its intensification.

Minister of Local Government Fazila-Jeewa Daureeawoo, who chaired the meeting of the National Disaster Committee, pointed out that Mauritius is likely to go on Alert 2 on Friday 21st December. She said that all the necessary arrangements have been made for the opening of additional centres for disaster victims in the event of a cyclone.

Series of measures announced in line with cyclonic season

A meeting, chaired by the Financial Secretary, Dev Manraj, and in the presence of relevant authorities, was organised on Tuesday 18th December at the Government House. A series of measures was taken during this meeting to deal with any eventuality during the cyclonic season.

Amongst the measures taken are changes which will be made to the composition of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee. Village and district councillors, civil society representatives, NGOs and city councillors are invited to take part in discussions on risk areas. This committee should also have in its possession a map of all areas at risk. The number of houses, the condition of the houses, the difficulties related to an emergency evacuation, the refugee centres and the number of buildings that can be converted into shelters are also concerned.

Another measure taken is for the organisation of a meeting between the representatives of certain regions on 20th December so as to ensure good communication and coordination. The authorities will also have to make arrangements for rescue measures. Refugee centres must be properly maintained, equipped and visited regularly.

An emergency plan will be established to evacuate the victims to the refugee centres. While the Local Emergency Operations Command (LEOC), in consultation with the National Emergency Operations Command (NEOC), will have to ensure a good distribution of food to refugees.

High Powered Committee instituted in the wake of cyclonic season

The Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Prakash Maunthrooa, organised a meeting to bring together district and village leaders to the Pamplemousses District Council on Wednesday 19th December regarding the cyclonic season and heavy rains. The purpose of this meeting was to prepare them for any eventuality and to put in place appropriate measures in the wake of a cyclone or heavy rains. Prakash Mauthrooa stated that each village must constitute its own disaster committee. The latter emphasised that everything must be under control and that differences must be put aside in order to work in solidarity.

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