Devastating Floods in Mauritius Leave Teerbhun Family Homeless

Gros-Cailloux, Mauritius - Severe flooding caused by heavy rains on April 21, 2024 has wreaked havoc across Mauritius, with the Teerbhun family in Gros-Cailloux among those hit hardest. Photos from the scene show the family's home inundated with water and mud, their belongings destroyed.

The government declared a national crisis on Saturday and announced the closure of all schools on April 22 to assess the damage and clean up the affected facilities. Several regions of the island nation suffered major impacts from the flooding, including Richelieu, Albion, and Gros-Cailloux.

Transportation has been severely disrupted, with the M1 motorway and Belle Village flyover in the capital Port Louis closed due to dangerously high water levels. A joint rescue operation was carried out in Place d'Armes to assist those stranded by the floodwaters.

Why this matters: The devastating floods in Mauritius highlight the island's susceptibility to extreme weather events and climate change. As sea levels rise and storms intensify, Mauritius and other small island nations face growing risks to lives, property and infrastructure.

While the heavy rains subsided by Sunday evening, atmospheric conditions remain humid and unstable. The Mauritius Meteorological Services has issued a heavy rain watch, warning residents to stay vigilant. "It is a difficult and traumatic situation," said a government spokesperson. "We are doing everything we can to help affected families like the Teerbhuns recover and rebuild."

Key Takeaways

• Severe flooding in Mauritius on April 21, 2024 due to heavy rains.
• Gros-Cailloux family's home inundated, government declared national crisis.
• Schools closed, transportation disrupted, rescue operations underway.
• Mauritius vulnerable to extreme weather events and climate change.
• Unstable weather conditions persist, recovery and rebuilding efforts ongoing.