13 OCTOBER 2022 INTERNATIONAL DISASTER REDUCTION DAY
“We need end-to-end and people-centred systems which will stop the spiral of disaster destruction and contribute to a more sustainable, more resilient and more equitable future.”
Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR.
[[We can break the cycle of ‘disaster, response, recover, repeat’. The World could face 1.5 disaster a day by 2030. But less than a third of world’s population is covered by early warning systems (EWS). We have made real progress in reducing disaster risk. But, we remain in danger of leaving hundreds of communities behind. Increasing the availability of early warning systems is more urgent than ever. And the benefits are proven. Effective early warning systems reduce damage. Save money. $ 800 million invested in EWS could save $16 billion per year. And save lives. If we develop early warning systems that are: Multi-hazard, End-to-End, People-centred. We will continue to build resilience across those communities most at risk. And deliver early warning and early action for all.]]
Theme of the day: Early warning
{{In 2022, the International Day will focus on Target G of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.” The urgency to achieve this target was strengthened in March 2022 by the announcement made by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres that “the United Nations will spearhead new action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years.”
The primary goal of the Sendai Framework is to avoid creating new and reduce existing risk. But when that is not possible, people-centered early warning systems and preparedness can enable early action to minimize the harm to people, assets and livelihoods.}}
Disaster Resilience in Mauritius
The prevailing situation in the Democratic Republic of Mauritius is vividly classified in the category of those countries where Early Warning Systems and Early Actions have consistently failed. Disaster Resilience has not being achieved despite large investments. See below.
(extract from correspondences sent to a few Policy Makers of Mauritius following the FLASH FLOOD of 13 March 2022 in Vallée des Prêtres locality)
Mauritius is a member, amongst others, of the UN and all its Agencies-WMO, WHO, UNHRC, UNFCC, UNISDR, and of Regional SADC, IOC/COI, OIR, etc. As a signatory, Mauritius has the obligation to adhere to and to implement the several respective Regional/International Protocols and Conventions. Unfortunately, the Policy Makers, Policy-Decision-Takers and Civil Servants do not appear to adopt them. This is one of the reasons why I have qualified, since 2008 that the Policy Makers (Government and Opposition: G+O sides), except a very few, are ‘Amateurs and Part-Timers’ and also ‘Illiterate in Disaster Management’ (now learnt on the lot). So, they should learn about all the related Protocols and Conventions and undergo training required thereon, in view of progressing towards Sustainable Development.
The introduction of the Ministry of Public Service appears to be Non-Performing, an anachronism and is promoting impunity. Its Vision- ‘A professional public service committed to excellence’; Mission: ‘To instil a culture of excellence’ and Objective: ‘Provision of timely and quality services to the public’.
The Citizens Support Unit (CSU) officers stated on MBC Kool Fm Radio station, on 04 September 2021 that a number of 2009 public complaints have been registered regarding bus transport; on 25 September 2021 189,914 complaints of the public have been registered out of which 10,427 complaints regard drains and roads. It is conclusive that neither the Ministry of Public Service nor the public servants are performing according to their respective duties.
The Ministry of National Infrastructure and Community Development’s
‘Vision: An informed society benefiting from efficient and continually upgraded infrastructures and government programmes...
Mission: Bring the benefits of socio-economic development to the doorstep of people and protect the population from flooding and natural disaster.’
In practice, bad governance, ‘laissez-faire’-attitude and wastage of public funds are drained in the ditches.
Very Laudable recommendations made after the Flash Flood of 26 March 2008
The Report of the Fact Finding Committee-Ex-Lola Flooding 26 March 2008 is as follows:
At page 26, regarding ‘THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES: EXISTING PREVENTIVE OR RELIEF MEASURES TAKEN RELATING TO SUCH WEATHER CONDITION’,
Paragraph 97: [The Local Authority derives its statutory duties and responsibilities under section 51 of the Local Government Act 1989. Section 51 (1) (e) provides that a municipal or district council shall, within the area under its jurisdiction, be responsible for- “the control, care, management, maintenance, improvement and cleansing of all pavements, drains, bridges, beds and banks of lakes, rivulets and streams.”]
The questions are: (1) did the Municipal Council of Port Louis carry out, according to their statutory duties, the cleaning of Latanier Tributary before and during the rainy season 2022? (2) Had the engineers/planners and supervisors notice silt, mud and debris along the river beds and banks? Or did they close their eyes or connive with those responsible for issuing permits?
Page 27, paragraph 101, section 51 (5): [where a local authority fails to carry out any of the duties referred to in subsection (1) (a), (b), (e) and (1), the Minister may intervene to cause to be carried by another party any such duties and any expenses defrayed in that respect be borne by the local authority or may be deductible from any grant payable to the local authority.]
Page 30, paragraph 112: [Morcellement have been allowed in low-lying areas or wetlands. The scene is all too familiar to some. A Developer comes, buys a plot of land with Flood Risk which, on that account, is going on the cheap. He Backfills it and levels the ground. He, then, applies for permits and licences. He obtains them, the Authorities being unaware of the situation on site. He fast sells the plots and flies by night. When the new house owners find what they have bought, each begins enclosing his compound with boundary walls. The Water Course is directed elsewhere. The problem becomes eventually multi-fold, transferred into someone else’s yard, home, bedroom and kitchen. Complaints come. Enforcement Authorities visit the locus (location). It is a ‘fait accompli’, Authorities are helpless. Meetings are held with central government. There is desperation. The Community vent their rage not only on officials but also on our Members of Parliament. They cannot wait any longer for a solution very elusive for funds still uncertain.] Section 113: [In the unlikely event the Developer were caught, his reply would be that the land was NOT ‘GREVE’ with any visible or invisible servitude of Natural Drain.] Section 114: [Then there are those Illegal Constructions and Activities Allowed…For most of the cases prosecuted, the power of demolition has not been either pursued, exercised or ordered.]
A retention wall work is being constructed since the beginning of April 2022 along the right hand side of the road upwards from Kovil, Vallée des Prêtres in the direction of Chitrakoot, Caroline. I visited that place in the afternoon of Sunday 10 April 2022, together with a team member who informed me about that construction. We saw that there is no notice board describing the authority, or the contractor and the nature of the work already started and etc. It appears that the Land Drainage Authority and the National Development Unit of Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development Hon MS HURREERAM is trying to bring some ‘latizann’ after the horrible Flash Flood of 13 March 2022. It is equally and horribly noteworthy that only one layer of stones is being fixed without any concrete and iron bars at the foundation layer, without columns and beams along more than about 200 mts already built. It is true that a few trees have been uprooted and others left just adjacent of the wall. The cross-section of the new drain is only 1-2 feet deep and even narrow with less than 2 feet in width. It is along this roadside small canal that all the muddy torrents of Rain Water, erosions and debris have been carried downhill on 13 March 2022. Such situations are frequent during Rainfalls especially that all the Torrents move downwards without pouring in the drains found on both sides of the road, nor do they pour into the Latanier Tributary. The Rain water invades nearby buildings until the Community Health Centre, a kilometre further. All these unprofessional and badly engineered construction and plans demand an Injunction and Stoppage of works, enquiries, reports and sanctions against all the public officers of this ministry and against the contractor involved.
I have already demanded, in my documents submitted to the authorities for clarification, as to whether the Engineers employed by the government in several sectors are really qualified as far as their professionalism and competence are concerned. In reply: ‘It is to be noted that public officers are appointed after a rigorous and transparent exercise conducted by the Public Service Commission where only the most meritorious ones are provided employment in the public service.’
Are these unprofessional public officers of the CWA, RDA, LDA and the National Development Unit (of Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development) showing their competence: ‘culture of excellence’ and ‘of timely and quality services to the public’?
The question is: will Hon. VPM Husnoo, Minister of Local Authority take action against and sanction the Municipal Council of Port Louis as per the Law of Local Government Act 1989?
What have they learnt from the Colonial Planners and slaves who built Mahebourg, Port Louis and lots of public infrastructure? The answer is crystal clear that Amateurism and Impunity are ever going.
Parliamentary Questions and replies at the National Assembly
SEVENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 19 APRIL 2022.
Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development Hon MS HURREERAM in reply to Hon. Fabrice David who was complaining about delayed and unfinished construction works in the locality of Pointe Aux Sables said:
‘Les Project Managers sont en train de suivre et les fonctionnaires de ce pays sont en train de faire leur travail. Il ne faut pas venir au Parlement, sous l’immunité parlementaire et s’attaquer aux fonctionnaires.’
It is crystal clear that Amateurism and Impunity are ever going.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management (Dr. A. Husnoo): [Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Municipal City Council of Port Louis that it has undertaken cleaning, disilting and maintenance work all along Latanier River between 13 December 2021 and 28 January 2022 over a total approximate length of 5.25 km. No dredging work was undertaken thereafter. (pages 51-52)…
I am informed by the Land Drainage Authority and also by the Municipal Council of Port Louis that in order to avoid recurrence of overflooding of Rivulet Latanier, the following works are being undertaken….cleaning and removable of debris…
However, the flood which occurred on 13 March 2022 at Morcellement Ramlagun, Vallée des Prêtres was due to the overflooding of Rivulet Latanier, which is a tributary to Latanier River. As per information gathered by the officers of the Municipal City Council of Port Louis at the latter site, it has been reported that the reserve of the Rivulet Latanier might have been tampered by an individual at the time of construction works, thereby causing the water path to be diverted towards the residential area during the heavy rainfall of 13 March 2022, hence the resulting overflow of water…
Construction of flood walls along Rivulet Latanier as per recommendations of the Land Drainage Authority, which will be carried out by the National Development Unit under its framework agreement. The work could start by early June 2022 and would last over a period of about four months.]
This is a deliberate example of misdeeds and malpractices of the public officers. Had dredging works been taken after 28 January 2022, the Impacts of the Flash Flood of 13 March 2022 could have been Mitigated. You cannot make a scape goat of one house owner. The whole morcellement seems to be illegal, situated along the Natural Drain and also constituting a violation of the Ramsar Convention, amongst others. The said land has been parcelled out and buyers have bought a plot of land. Houses, including one commercial building, have been constructed on the very natural drain. I visited the site when the last 2 buildings were under construction. At the start, it is the Ministry of Housing and Land which issues permits followed by those of the current Lord Mayor and his predecessors. Moreover, there are other similar cases in the region.
The question is: Are you sure that your ‘fonctionnaires de ce pays sont en train de faire leur travail’ ? I see that these cases mentioned above are the first bundle of public servants who will be under the burden of accountability on misuse of Public Funds.
It is conclusive that the Disasters caused to the locality of Morcellement Ramlagun, Vallée des Prêtres was Highly Predictable:
The Report of the Fact Finding Committee 2008 published on 23 March 2009 (which day the World Meteorological Day is marked) heralded and clarified the Mal-practices and Amateurism of Policy Maker and of Civil Servants. The several loopholes in Disaster Management have been thoroughly enlisted. Solid Recommendations have been enumerated in Chapter 5, page 48 for a legislated ‘creation of an APEX ORGANIZATION, a 24/7 permanent National in Disaster Management Centre’ based a multi-sectoral system. There is, apart from a few items, Failure of Adoption of the FFC Report 2009, whose costs of perhaps many millions of rupees, were disbursed from Public Funds. The Flash Flood episode of 13 March 2022 illustrates the scenario depicted in the FFC Report 2009.
The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) had already issued Warnings of Heavy Rains on Saturday 12 March 2022, on the previous day. The Warning was re-issued in the morning of Sunday 13 March. Besides, mention was also made that Clouds converging from the North-East and the combination of those of the Anti-Cyclone in the South and of the Bands of those of Northern Madagascar were Highly Likely to cause Heavy Rainfalls in Mauritius. Besides, Reunion Island which was already under Vigilance registered 115.9 mm. Most of the Precipitations of 111 mm as from 1.00 pm to 3.30 pm came from the Clouds of the North-East which made landfall on the Port Louis Mountain Range and its vicinity. More than 2 feet of Torrents of muddy water flowed along the main road of Vallée des Prêtres and its surroundings after flooding Morcellement Ramlagun. The Imageries of Meteosat-8 Satellite and of Trou Aux Cerfs Meteorological Radar justify the Flash Flood of 13 March 2022. See Imageries below. The question is what Minister Husnoo and his National Emergency Operation Command (NEOC) Amateurs did to provide Safety and Protection of the population? Unfortunately, the Early Warning did not reach the NEOC and the population. So, the Response Teams reached Vallée des Prêtres 1-2 hours later.
The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) has been issuing a series of Heavy Rain Warnings during the months of February and March 2022, just like during past years. Each time there is some Weather Event, the Policy Makers, Media and public qualify these as effects of Climate Change. Others blame Mother Nature or even Almighty God or say that it is an Act of God. The MBC Best Fm Radio station even launches songs like ‘Aaj mausam bara beiman hai’, meaning ‘today weather is very treacherous’. Such song has been disseminated from the playlists repetitively as soon as some rains fell during the droughts of 2012. At that time, the reservoirs of Mauritius had reached an alarming low capacity of 25%, impacted by Drought. The other radio stations are on the same wavelength. Policy Makers also compare the flood situations of Mauritius to other countries. It should be noted that the Calamitous Floods which caused Disasters in France, Italy and Germany, etc. last year, were forecasted by the respective meteorological services. The problem was that the Warnings DID NOT REACH the population, according to media reports. A primary school student of Mauritius can infer that March is the Rainiest month of Summer Season- November to April/May: 26 March 2008, 30 March 2013, 13 March 2022, etc;
VPM Husnoo has stated after the PQ at the National Assembly: ‘cleaning, disilting and maintenance work all along Latanier River between 13 December 2021 and 28 January 2022 over a total approximate length of 5.25 km. No dredging work was undertaken thereafter.’ It is conclusive that the Flash Flood of 13 March 2022 would cause disastrous impacts in the locality mentioned. This is another example of Amateurism.
The main objective of Early Warning Systems is to Prevent Loss of Life, of property, livelihood and economic progress, etc. Geostationary and Polar Orbiting Satellites-and Radars are ‘Critical-Life-Saving’ tools which are constructed with sophisticated equipment: sensors, scanners, cameras, antennas and devices. They track clouds and all types of weather parametres- heat, land and sea surface temperatures, cold air, wind force and direction, etc. All Natural Calamities are thus precisely detectable on Long, Medium and Short Terms and also on Real-Time. Policy Makers who fail to provide Protection of and Safety to their respective population and public tend to say that Meteorology is not a precise science. This is totally wrong. Making best uses of these require qualified, well trained, well experienced and hardworking personnel. The UN Under Secretary of Humanitarian Affairs-Jan Egeland stated in Kobe, Japan at the conference after the Deadly Tsunami of 26 December 2004: ‘Disaster reduction is not simply a matter of sophisticated technology and hardware; at root it is also a matter of communication and education. We need a Gobal Early Warning System, where people-not hardware are at the centre of any successful disaster warning and preparedness measures. We have to have a new generation of awareness. We need better ways of communicating accurate information to the people in need of such information’. Kindly take note that I had Predicted the Deadly Tsunami of 26 December 2004 well two and a half years beforehand, when I was conducting a survey on the oncoming Autonomy of Rodrigues (March-May 2002) submitted to the UOM. I also participated at the UNISDR Grand Baie Conference on that issue in 2005.
http://www.kanhye.com/disasters/world-meteorological-day-23-march-2022
THE TOWN PLANNERS’ COUNCIL BILL (NO. XIX OF 2021) was presented on same Tuesday 19 April 2022 by Hon. Louis Steven Obeegadoo, the Ag. Prime Minister, DPM, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism.
Page 88: [Let me assure the House that town planning is not restricted to towns, as the name may suggest, but also includes, inter alia, planning, development of villages, rural and coastal areas.]
The questions are: will the said planning be included for Rodrigues which is very hilly and where I have stayed and visited 20 times during 10 years? When will the planners stop building radiers and start constructing eco-friendly, architecturally artistic bridges? Do the current Planners know what technology must be applied for the extension of Plaine Corail Airport? The landing ground is much above sea level and has several stratified layers of corals and lava. Do the planners understand why the tarmac built and rebuilt by the DWC for the landing of Dornier on the sandy soil of Agalega was always defective and broken? Why a convenient and safe Warf could not be constructed there? I visited Agalega in April 2001 (exactly 21 years ago)? Are these bundle of planners learning about new technologies which are being applied by the current Indian working teams in Agalega? Will they be capable of introducing infrastructural development in the sandy soil of Chagos Archipelago?
Page 91: [Clauses 27 to 32 enable the Council to investigate complaints against the registered town planner having regard to professional misconduct, malpractice, or negligence or breach of the Code of Practice. And the Council will be empowered to set up a Professional Conduct Committee as and when necessary to look into the necessity of disciplinary proceedings.]
The question is: will these clauses be applied against the series of Planners who have, so far, been working contrary to what have been enumerated? Examples- like the obstructions caused by building materials along M 1 at the mouths of Ruisseau du Pouce and Poudrière Canal during the Mega Flash Flood of 30 March 2013; like the fissure along Terre Rouge-Verdun Motorway; like the Cité La Cure bridge and like the Torrents of Muddy flows at Vallée des Prêtres on 13 March 2022?
Let me tell you that Planners had totally covered the drains which existed along both sides of M 1 at Harbour Front building and Caudan Esplanande. These were dugout and revived after 30 March 2013. What sanctions will you apply?
Or will these defaulters be given Green light and a Certificate as Professionals? What have they learnt from the Colonial Planners and slaves who built Mahebourg, Port Louis and lots of public infrastructure?
Disaster Resilience is the ‘Wealth of the Nation’
The First Deadly Flash Flood of 26 March 2008, when 4 citizens lost the life, occurred during the PTr. government. Unfortunately, the whole recommendations of the subsequent Fact Finding Committee were totally discarded, except a few sporadic actions. The Mega Flash Flood of 30 March 2013, causing the loss of life of 11 citizens, took place during the same Labour government. The Policy Makers tried to be wise after the event. One Mrs Venita Bellers of foreign origin, was paid out public funds to handle the Foetus-like Disaster Management Centre, ignoring the FFC Report/Recommendations. Thereafter, the national budget hardly earmarked funds for the Safety and Protection of the population against the impacts of Natural Calamities. My suggestions for an Awareness, Preparedness, Adaptation, Mitigation, Response, Relief and Rehabilitation campaign was also discarded. The Foetus-like Disaster Management Centre was almost aborted or survived on ‘Ad Hoc’ basis during the PTr. government.
Each time that some Heavy Rains fell in Mauritius, after 30 March 2013, the Policy Makers are panic stricken and all the Response Teams are mobilized to Canal Dayot and Caudan Water Front. Besides, the residents of these localities come under stress and trauma. Neither the MMS nor any local person nor any Foreign Expert tried to explain that the Mega Flash Flood of 30 March 2013 occurred under Extreme and Exceptional Circumstances (EEC). Weather Patterns change and they do not strike at the same place and with the same intensity. It is at such conjunction that the concept of Climate Change is wrongly explained and understood. Ex-PTr PM imported 2 experts from Singapore to assess the said Flood. Surely, a few millions of rupees have been paid out of public funds. I requested Hon. Osman Mohammed, who was then responsible for Ile Durable, to arrange my meeting with those experts. I was informed that the latter had already departed. Moreover, ex-PM did never publish the report of the Singaporeans. In addition, that ex-PM did not agree with me when I told him of the ‘Failure of Early Warning System’ regarding the Torrential Rain of 12 February 2013.
The current NDRRMC (stupidly long name) is still on ‘Ad Hoc’ and ‘Re-active’ track. There are many loopholes with Amateurism. What has been its role during the Flash Flood of 13 March 2022? Just 10 days after that event, that is 23 March, the World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, marked the World Meteorological Day. The theme of this year is ‘EARLY WARNING, EARLY ACTION’. The Policy Makers-Champions failed in their mission in marking that day and in developing a Culture of Disaster Resilience, which I consider as ‘The Wealth of the Nation’. Read and enhance your knowledge: http://www.kanhye.com/disasters/world-meteorological-day-23-march-2022
Are you, Government and Opposition Policy Makers, aware that Atmospheric Dusts are triggering precipitations world-wide? My Observations of the atmosphere of Mauritius have indicated this phenomenon since a few years. NASA ESO satellites confirm this. Will you watch NASA/ISRO tandem in 2024?
The concept of ‘Climate Change’ is wrongly explained and misunderstood world-wide. Besides, I refrain from using these terms. The descriptions are driven by Amateur Policy Makers and dramatized unjustly. There is no Education provided for students, Policy Makers and public. I have submitted various documents regarding Disaster Management to ex-SG of Indian Ocean Commission, ex-Ambassador of France and ex-Ambassador of EU. I have explained clearly to them about the Weather Systems of Mauritius. I have also challenged the knowledge of the Experts who come under their aegis to deliver talks to local civil servants; I also questioned the knowledge levels of local public servants. The argument which I have raised is: if the experts and participants are competent, why no one could foresee all the series of Natural Calamities which are striking our Island during the current decades? Lots can be said on this item. International reports explain that hardly 10% of earmarked funds are really utilized for educating the population.
Obtaining a ticket at the general elections and securing a seat at the National Assembly, does NOT mean that, de facto, one becomes a Champion in Disaster Management. To attain such level demands a very wide knowledge and experience at local, regional and international levels. That is why I often say and maintain my standpoint that the Policy Makers-G+O, and Decision Takers are ‘Amateurs in Disaster Management’. Stop pretending to be Socialists and Democrats.
You must have learned and understood, by now, that I am carrying out enquiries and investigations on a series of governmental departments and also private sector. So, do co-operate.
PM Jugnauth presented a statement at the National Assembly live on 12 April 2022: ‘that the criticisms made by the PAC and Director of Audit, on the use of public funds are welcome; that remedial and Good Governance measures across all ministries and departments will be undertaken.’ This is a very bold decision and also indicates that malpractices are rampant in all sectors, including all the civil services mentioned above. So, stop sleeping on princely laurels. Be brave and sanction all the mal-practitioners.
Blunders by Policy Makers
Mentions have been made in previous articles on this Website that there are many loopholes at the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS). They have been reported to the WMO just 2 days before the Mega Deadly Flash Flood of 30 March 2013. The MMS has the mandate, according to its mission statement to prepare, disseminate and supply meteorological data, information, products and advice freely. It is a violation of the WMO Protocols to claim monies for data and information. The public officers of the MMS are already paid by governmental funds. So, why the MMS indulges in business, instead of disseminating all data and information freely for the safety and security of the population? NASA and other scientists embark in an aeroplane and enter Hurricanes to assess the parametres of wind force, rain, lightning, etc. at the risk of their own live. All data detected are disseminated freely for the safety of Mankind. Bravo to such meteorologists and researchers.
Unfortunately, the Amateur Policy Makers have passed laws infringing the Conventions. They are not at all attuned to Disaster Management.
[[THE MAURITIUS METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES ACT 2019
Act No. 22 of 2019
5. Functions and powers of Mauritius Meteorological Services
(i) prepare, disseminate and supply meteorological data, information, products and advice.]]
[[[LEGAL SUPPLEMENT 3051
THE MAURITIUS METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES ACT 2019
Regulations made, on 14 September 2022, by the Minister under sections 5, 6 and 11 of the Mauritius Meteorological Services Act 2019:
SCHEDULE, [Regulation 3], CHARGES INFORMATION/SERVICE CHARGES regarding 1. Data, 2. Monthly weather forecast, 3. Products.]]] RANGING from Rs.900 to Rs. 3000 yearly.
The first Satellite of Mauritius MIR SAT 1 was launched jointly by the International Space Station and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at around 03.15 pm (Mauritian Time) on 22 June 2021. Stationed at about 420 km altitude, this ‘Live-Saving-Tool’ is expected to help much in Disaster Management and other uses for Sustainable Development Goals.
The question now is: what data and information were obtained from KiboCube satellite in view of providing to the Policy Makers concerning the Flash Flood of 13 March 2022? As from its launching in June 2021 until now there is no news regarding it.
The Meteorological Radar of the MMS became obsolete during the Deadly Flash Floods of 26 March 2008 and of 30 March 2013. The METEOSAT 7 (now replaced by 8 and 9 of EU) was only in service. Now that METEOSAT 9, the Meteorological Radar and MIR SAT 1 are operating, why neither the public nor the Policy Makers did not understand the impending Flash Flood of 13 March 2022? Where is there ‘service with excellence’? The Summer Season 2022-2023 starts from Mid- November this year until Mid- April next year. Yet, 2 Tropical Storms ASHLEY and BALITA on 27 September 2022 and 07 October 2022 respectively. Both of these are Premature Cyclones which have crossed South Indian Ocean, during the early period of weather transition (winter to Summer). What Education is being disseminated by the Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) or by the Disaster Management Centre?
The World Metrological Day 23 March 2022 had the Theme: Early Warning Early Action. It was not marked by the Policy Makers just 10 days after the Flash Flood of 13 March 2022.
Comments
Culture of Vices: Arrogance, Mal-practices, Bad Governance, Laisser-faire, Nepotism, Fraud and Corruption, Negligence and Omissions.
Nurturing of Virtues: Accountability, Transparency, Good Governance, Putting-People-First, Knowledge and Professionalism, Righteousness, Compassion and Patriotism.
Read more:
http://www.kanhye.com/disasters/13-october-2021-unisdr-drrd
http://www.kanhye.com/disasters/world-meteorological-day-23-march-2022
PKANHYE THURSDAY 13 OCTOBER 2022.