Retirement of Ram Dhurmea: PM Announces New Investigation
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam returned to Parliament on Tuesday to discuss the independent investigation launched after Cyclone Belal struck in January 2024. Responding to MP Arvin Babajee's questions regarding the investigation's findings and actions taken against former Director of Meteorological Services Ram Dhurmea, the Prime Minister expressed serious doubts about the report produced under the previous administration.
According to the information presented, the investigation was commissioned by the Ministry of Local Government and Risk Management following the damages caused by the cyclone. The report, prepared by an Assistant Solicitor General and a technical advisor from the meteorological service and submitted on June 20, 2024, directly held Ram Dhurmea accountable for failing to inform the National Crisis Committee about the cyclone's trajectory.
The Prime Minister dismissed these findings, labeling them a "so-called independent report," and stated that the government was "not satisfied" with them, adding that "it appears Dr. Ram Dhurmea may have been used as a scapegoat to cover the mistakes of the previous government."
The situation led to Dhurmea's retirement "in the interest of public service," in accordance with Public Service Commission Regulation 39. He subsequently took legal action but retracted it on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Navin Ramgoolam revealed troubling information: reports of heavy rainfall had been published on the government portal before January 15, 2024, only to be removed for unknown reasons. He also noted that the former head of government had engaged in socio-cultural activities on January 15, hinting at a potential connection to these events.
In light of these uncertainties, the current government plans to conduct a new investigation to establish the exact sequence of events and determine if there was a deliberate suppression of flood alerts. The Prime Minister assured that "necessary measures will be taken to ensure that natural justice prevails."
