Heavy Rains Trigger Flood Allowance Payments in Mauritius

Heavy rains in Mauritius have triggered the start of 'flood allowance' payments to eligible citizens on Wednesday. The Mauritius Meteorological Services reported cloudy and partly cloudy conditions across various locations in the country, with temperatures ranging from 23°C to 29°C and wind speeds between 7 km/h and 15 km/h.

The heavy rains have led to the activation of the 'flood allowance' program, which provides financial assistance to citizens affected by the flooding. The Mauritius Meteorological Services issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours, indicating that after a few morning showers to the East and over the highgrounds, the weather will be fair during the day.

However, in the afternoon, the sky will become temporarily cloudy to the South-West with the possibility of localized showers. The maximum temperature is expected to vary between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius over the central plateau and 30 to 33 degrees Celsius along the coasts. The wind will be from the Eastern sector at about 15 km/h, and the sea will be moderate beyond the reefs with South-Westerly swells of the order of 2 metres, becoming rough in the afternoon. Ventures in the open sea are not advised as from this afternoon.

Why this matters: The activation of the flood allowance program in Mauritius highlights the government's efforts to provide financial support to citizens affected by severe weather events. As climate change continues to intensify storms and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, such measures become increasingly important for the well-being and resilience of communities.

The heavy rains in Mauritius act as a reminder of the vulnerability of island nations to the impacts of climate change. Cyclones are common in the region during the summer months, and scientists say climate change has intensified these storms, making them more frequent and intense. In 2019, Cyclone Idai was one of the deadliest storms on record in the southern hemisphere, leaving over 1,000 people dead in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.

Key Takeaways

• Heavy rains in Mauritius trigger 'flood allowance' payments to citizens.
• Mauritius Meteorological Services forecasts cloudy conditions and localized showers.
• Temperatures to range from 26-33°C, with 15 km/h winds and 2m swells.
• Flood allowance program aims to support citizens affected by severe weather.
• Climate change intensifies storms, making them more frequent and intense.