What You Need to Know
The Mauritian government is set to announce urgent water restrictions due to severe drought conditions affecting the country. The Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, revealed that reservoir levels are critically low, particularly at Mare-aux-Vacoas, which is currently at 51% capacity. Without immediate action, levels could plummet to 22-23% by mid-June, prompting a
Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, together with the Central Water Authority (CWA) and the Water Resources Commission, will develop a nationwide water restriction plan in response to current reservoir levels, particularly at Mare-aux-Vacoas, the country’s largest reservoir. The plan, intended to safeguard existing water resources, will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and is expected to be implemented shortly.
This announcement was made today by the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, following a site visit to the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir to assess the situation. He was accompanied by senior officials from the CWA, the Water Resources Commission, and other relevant organisations.
In a statement, Minister Assirvaden remarked that the country is experiencing one of its most severe droughts in over 122 years, warning that the Mare-aux-Vacoas Reservoir, currently at 51% capacity, could drop to around 22–23% by mid-June if urgent water distribution restrictions are not implemented. He noted that such a decline would further hinder pumping operations due to the buildup of mud at the reservoir’s base.
The Minister also clarified that these proposed emergency measures are separate from the previously presented Marshall Plan, which focuses on long-term water management improvements, whereas the current restrictions are intended to address the immediate emergency caused by declining water levels in reservoirs and phreatic zones.
Minister Assirvaden highlighted that the current water deficit in reservoirs is estimated at 10 to 12 million cubic metres compared to the same period last year, and urged the public, businesses, and the agricultural sector to use water responsibly.
He moreover recalled that some 15 Containerised Pressure Filters have already been bought to enable water pumping from rivers, and that a desalination project in the northern region of Mauritius is being considered to reduce reliance on rainfall.
Mauritius has faced periodic droughts throughout its history, but the current situation is particularly alarming, marking one of the most severe droughts in over a century. The Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir, the largest in the country, plays a crucial role in water supply, and its declining levels have raised concerns about future water availability. The government’s response includes both immediate restrictions and long-term management plans to ensure sustainable water resources for the population.
