30 March 2013, a very sad day for Mauritius. Torrential rain of an intensity never witnessed in Mauritius flooded roads on Saturday, March 30, overturning cars and stranding thousands of motorists. About 30 vehicles were involved in a multiple-vehicle pileup near Hindu House, Port Louis. Some of the vehicles were completely damaged.
More than two hours of solid rainfall starting at 1:00 pm flooded the streets of the capital and Plaines Wilhems paralyzing public transportation, causing traffic chaos. 150 mm rainfall was recorded in Port Louis in an interval of three hours.
Eleven person are reported dead from the flood and several are missing. Six of them were drowned, trapped in the under path leading to Caudan Waterfront. Two bodies were removed from the underground car park of Mcdonalds.
A day of national mourning has been declared on April 1.Our Prime Minister said that Mauritius was suffering badly from the effects of climate change. Some say that such a calamity was the consequence of blocked drains and waterways. But our prime minister’s putting the blame on climatic changes.
It seems that we are more responsible than we think we are innocent. If we hadn’t thrown litter around, maybe the drains would not be blocked and such a calamity would not have occured.
Many vehicles were damaged, houses affected and six people died due to water accumulation in the tunnels. It’s true the concerned authorities were there to help but only after the incident; after all those people lost their lives. Now, many of those people lost a home and have to take refuge in security centers and colleges offering services.
What were remarkable were the solidarity among the citizen who were all ready and there to help each other. They were all heroes; not caring for their lives and trying their best to help.
sweta25 