Mauritius Faces One of Its Worst Droughts in Over 122 Years, Says Patrick Assirvaden
The Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, in collaboration with the Central Water Authority (CWA) and the Water Resources Commission, will develop a national water restriction plan in response to the current reservoir levels, particularly at Mare-aux-Vacoas, the country's largest reservoir. This plan, aimed at protecting existing water resources, will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval and is expected to be implemented soon.
This announcement was made on Monday, April 20, 2026, by the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Patrick 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 organizations.
In a statement, Patrick Assirvaden noted 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 mentioned that such a decline would further hinder pumping operations due to the accumulation of silt at the base of the reservoir.
The minister also clarified that these proposed emergency measures are distinct from the previously presented Marshall Plan, which focuses on long-term improvements in water management, while the current restrictions aim to address the immediate emergency caused by decreasing water levels in reservoirs and aquifers.
Patrick Assirvaden emphasized that the current water deficit in the reservoirs is estimated between 10 and 12 million cubic meters compared to the same period last year and urged the public, businesses, and the agricultural sector to use water responsibly.
He further reminded that about 15 containerized pressure filters have already been purchased to enable water pumping from rivers, and a desalination project in the northern region of Mauritius is being considered to reduce dependence on rainfall.
