Decreasing Water Reserves: The Threat of Water Restrictions Amid a Historic Drought

Mauritius may no longer have the luxury of waiting for rain. After a field visit to Mare aux Vacoas on Monday, April 20, Energy Minister Patrick Assirvaden announced that he has tasked the Central Water Authority (CWA) with developing a water consumption restriction plan, which could take effect in the coming days. "We are facing a drought of a magnitude rarely seen in over a century," he stated.

The water deficit compared to the previous year is estimated at between 10 and 12 million cubic meters. Without significant rainfall by then, some reservoirs could drop to between 22% and 23% of their capacity by mid-June, a threshold below which pumping operations could be compromised due to mud accumulation at the bottom of the reservoirs.

The minister distinguished these emergency measures from the "Marshall Plan" already submitted to the government, which aims to deeply modernize the long-term water management system. "The restrictions being considered today address an immediate and exceptional situation," he clarified. While waiting for rains that no one can guarantee will come, Patrick Assirvaden urged the public, businesses, and the agricultural sector to reduce their consumption without delay: "Every action counts."