Mauritius Launches National Flood Preparedness Campaign for 2026-2027

Mauritius has officially launched its National Flood Prevention and Preparedness Campaign for 2026-2027, bringing together emergency services, government officials and public organisations to strengthen the country's readiness ahead of the rainy season.

The launch ceremony took place on Friday 6 November at the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, one of the capital's main commercial and leisure hubs. The event was led by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC), a body that operates under the Prime Minister's Office and coordinates disaster risk management across the island. The campaign was organised in partnership with Landscope Mauritius, the state-owned company responsible for managing public parks, nature reserves and green spaces across the country.

Among the officials present were the Lord Mayor of Port Louis, Christelle Pondard, the NDRRMC Officer-in-Charge, Premanand Budhoo, and Landscope Mauritius Chief Executive Officer Manilall Seetohul.

The highlight of the morning was a series of practical exercises and tactical demonstrations staged near the southern underground passage of the Waterfront. First responders and rescue services showed how they would react in a real flooding emergency, giving the public a direct look at the coordination and equipment involved.

Speaking at the event, NDRRMC Officer-in-Charge Premanand Budhoo issued a clear warning about the dangers of heavy rainfall and flooding in Mauritius. He stressed that such events can claim lives, cause serious damage to infrastructure, and disrupt the economy. Crucially, he called on families and communities not to wait for a crisis to start preparing, arguing that disaster readiness must become a habit rather than a reaction.

Mauritius is exposed to intense rainfall, particularly between November and April when the Indian Ocean cyclone season is active. Flash floods have repeatedly struck low-lying areas of Port Louis and other parts of the island in recent years, causing significant damage and, on occasion, loss of life. The Waterfront area itself sits close to flood-prone zones in the capital.

The 2026-2027 campaign draws inspiration from the theme of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, reflecting Mauritius's alignment with global frameworks for building resilient communities.

What this means: For residents, particularly those in flood-prone areas of Port Louis, Curepipe or the east coast, the campaign is a timely reminder to review household emergency plans, know evacuation routes, and stay informed through official NDRRMC alerts during heavy rain. For businesses and infrastructure operators, the campaign signals that government agencies are actively coordinating responses and expect private stakeholders to do the same.

Source: ION News