The impacts of Carlos

Mauritius has been reeling under the effects of the first cyclone of 2017 since Saturday. Cyclone Carlos brought much needed rain to the island. However, how have our plantations, vegetable prices and reservoirs been impacted? News on Sunday reports.

Moderate tropical cyclone Carlos hit Mauritius last weekend. As it passed to its closed point to Mauritius on Monday night, Carlos brought showers across the island. Rivers moved out of their banks and there were water accumulation in some areas. However the rain brought by Carlos was beneficial as well.

As underlined by Salil Roy, President of the Planters Reform Association, the rain brought by the cyclone was much needed. “I can say that in general, the rain were beneficial for our local plantations. But it depends on the region. For example, the rain was beneficial for the northern region which experienced water shortage for the past weeks. Water was thus most welcome regarding the situation in our reservoirs. However on the central plateau, in the east and the south of the island, the effects of Carlos was average.”

Salil Roy explains that if these regions suffer from water logging, this will severely affect plantations. “Water loggings means water retention. If in the days to come we will still get much rain and if the soil continues to retain water, plantations like sugarcane will suffer. For example their roots can rot. But we are still assessing the situation and what we should be expecting in the days to come.”

On the other hand, the secretary of the Small Planters Association, Kreepalloo Sunghoon declares that the weather has a direct effect on plantations and especially the production of vegetables. “Carlos’ rain had a serious effect in the sense that we’ve had too much rain in a small amount of time. However I must say that as the northern region had suffered from water shortage, the rain was more than beneficial.”

Kreepalloo Sunghoon explains that due to the water shortage, most vegetables were coming from the central plateau. “A very small amount of vegetables was harvested in the north. The vegetable we had on the market mostly came from the plantations and ponds from the central plateau. However the rain has caused floods in the ponds and vegetables planted there are lost. Moreover the soil on the central plateau is saturated with water. The heavy rain has washed away the fertilizers which were found on the surface soil. However, we will be waiting till the end of this week to know the true effects of Carlos. If the roots of plants rot, planters will have to plant over again. If not, we will be harvesting the vegetables but they can be also damaged by the rain.”

Regarding the rise of vegetable prices on the market, the secretary of the Small Planters Association explains that it all depends to the sales in the auction. “When wholesalers known that a cyclone is approaching, they take precautions by buying more than they are used to. So as the demand increases, the prices automatically increase as well. This has an overall and direct repercussion.” However Kreepalloo Sunghoon also claims that there is some kind of psychosis among the population on vegetable supplies during that period. “As people think that there will be a vegetable shortage on the market, they buy more than they are used to. This also has an effect on the supply chain.” Kreepalloo Sunghoon says that vegetable prices will stabilise in around 25 days. “The price can be a little high but it will be stable.”

Situation in reservoirs 

Carlos definitely has had a positive impact on our reservoirs. Indeed during its passage, Carlos’s rain helped in increasing the water levels in the reservoirs around the island. According to Mantasha Ghurhoo, head of Communication at the Central Water Authority (CWA): “Carlos has been beneficial to our reservoirs with a significant amount of rainfall obtained during the last few days and reservoir levels are expected to continue rising over the next few days. An improvement has been noticed in the reservoir level which two days ago stood at 45.6% for the grand total. And on 08/02/16 is 59.2%. The rain has also been beneficial to our boreholes across the island, their levels have stabilized and some have seen much improvement.”

The island had suffered since the past week of water shortage. But should people still expect water cuts after the passage of Carlos? “Currently, we are maintaining our hours of supply across the island as already communicated. However we will be monitoring the water levels in our reservoirs and boreholes over the next few days together with the Water Resources Unit. Decisions will be taken in accordance to the level of improvement seen in specific regions (figures not obtained yet). As soon as decisions to that effect are taken, it will be communicated to all,” says Mantasha. 

She also highlights that it is too early to say if there will be less water cuts in some regions. “We have to monitor the situation over the next few days and it is also not to be forgotten that the reservoirs are only 59% full,” explains the head of communication. Mantasha maintains that people should still be cautious regarding their water consumption. Caution with regards to water use is still sought from the public. As stated earlier, the reservoirs are still 59% full compared to last year during the same period when it was 63% full. And according to international reports, the year 2017 is expected to be the hottest and driest year of the decade which still calls for caution on the part of the population for the rest of the year. It is always advised to consumers to make judicious use of water for basic things, for example, close taps when brushing teeth, take 5min showers, use a bowl when washing vegetables, use maximum load in washing machine, repair all leaks in their yard, use a bucket when washing car, use rainwater for watering plants and washing the floor.”