Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Joël Achille
Published on 2024-03-26 09:12:26
What does the Port-Louis evacuation plan entail in the event of rising waters? What are the 480 sites identified as prone to flooding, with 56 of them classified as “life threatening”?
Minister of Natural Disaster Management, Anwar Husnoo, did not disclose any details in response to these questions posed by the leader of the opposition, Xavier-Luc Duval.
During Tuesday’s Private Notice Question (PNQ) on the damages caused by Cyclone Belall, which resulted in two deaths, the minister reiterated that the police will assist in evacuating the capital based on the secret evacuation plan in place until now.
Regarding the sites identified as flood-prone areas, the opposition leader insisted that the study on these regions be made public. “The population has paid for the report. They should have access to it,” he demanded.
However, Minister Husnoo also maintained secrecy around these sites. “We know where they are and are working on them,” he assured.
“No response.”
The opposition leader wanted to know how many homes were damaged during Cyclone Belal, the drainage works undertaken in Port-Louis, and requested the minister to submit the capital’s evacuation plan to parliament.
In his initial response, Minister Husnoo extensively discussed the different steps taken by the NEOC before and during the cyclone. Xavier-Luc Duval twice asked for his questions to be addressed during the approximately ten minutes. In the end, the opposition leader lamented not receiving any answers to his queries.
The minister mentioned that 4,365 assistance forms had been issued by the police to applicants, without further details on the affected regions or residences. He cited areas in the capital where drainage works have been completed or are in progress.
He then stated that a capital evacuation protocol is in place, including plans for redirecting traffic.
A secret plan exists.
“The minister is unable to tell us” how many houses and families were affected by the cyclone, the opposition leader regretted. Anwar Husnoo then stated that the Ministry of Social Security “is taking care of these individuals.”
Further on, the opposition leader advocated for the publication of the evacuation plan so that everyone can safely leave the capital in case of natural disasters.
“We have a protocol,” Anwar Husnoo made clear. The police will ensure to divert traffic and close certain roads to redirect traffic out of the capital. “We have done it, we have implemented it,” he reiterated.
At the end of the PNQ, the stages of the Port-Louis evacuation plan still remain a mystery.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
