General FAQ
What is a disaster?
It
is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society
involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses
and impacts, which exceeds the ability of the affected community or
society to cope using its own resources. (UNISDR definition)
What is a hazard?
A
hazard is a dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or
condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts,
property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic
disruption or environmental damage.
What is risk?
Risk
is the combination of the probability of an event and its negative
consequences. In other words, risk is the result of the impact of a
hazard (for example, a sea surge) on a specific vulnerability (for
example, low-lying coastal areas). The effect of the sea surge could be
prevented or mitigated using sea walls or other protective measures,
this would therefore decrease the vulnerability of the population and in
turn reduce the level of risk, although the hazard itself remains the
same.
Risk
is therefore the outcome of both hazards and a population's exposure to
the effects of it. Hazards can be protected against (building codes,
protective barriers, drainage etc), so the risks is the result of what
exposure remains.
Risk is therefore represented by a formula: Hazard + Vulnerability = Risk
What is the difference between preparedness and mitigation?
Mitigation
means the lessening of the impacts of a hazard. In practice this means
taking steps that will limit how much damage is caused by an event that
may be unavoidable. For example, it is impossible to avoid heavy
rainfall, but you can mitigate impact of the rain which brings a risk of
flooding through mitigation projects such as improved drainage and
water management. Mitigation means investing in measures to protect
people and communities well before a disaster event.
Preparedness
means the specific knowledge and capacities necessary to effectively
respond to and recover from the impacts of likely, imminent or current
hazards. In practice this essentially means knowing what to do in the
event of a disaster and this can be at the individual level right up to
government institutions.
A
good example to illustrate the difference between preparedness and
mitigation is storm shutters: Having the storm shutters is a mitigation
step, using them is preparedness.
What is Disaster Risk Reduction?
Disaster
Risk Reduction is overall the concept and practice of reducing disaster
risks through systematic efforts to analyse and manage factors
identified as causing or exacerbating disasters. Steps taken withing
Disaster Risk
Reduction include reducing exposure to hazards, lessening vulnerability
of people and property, wise management of land and the environment and
improved preparedness for adverse events.
Where is the NDRRMC Office located?
The NDRRMC is located on the 6th floor at Citadelle Mall, Port Louis.
Will NDRRMC be able to continue functioning in case Port Louis becomes inaccessible due to a disaster situation?
The NDRRMC has an alternate operation facility at SMF, Vacoas.
Where can I get general information on cyclones?
For
any issue relating to Cyclone Warning System, Classification of
Tropical Cyclone, Meaning of Common Terms and Naming of Tropical Storms,
please go to links:
The
main sources of cyclone information are local radio and television.
Because of the high chance of the power supply being disrupted, it is
important to have a battery-operated radio to listen for cyclone
advisories warnings.
When are emergency shelter opened?
Emergency shelters will be opened during cyclones, flooding. Shelters are opened when there is a perceived
need for people to move out of their homes to safer areas. Previously
there were called Cyclone Refugee Centres but these have now been
designated as Emergency Shelters to recognise their use in other types
of emergencies.
Who mans the emergency shelters?
Emergency shelters are managed, opened and manned by staff of the Ministry of Social Security during emergency events.
Is public transport available during cylones and other emergency events?
Public
transport will be avaible up to 3 hours after the issue of MMS Cyclone
III warning. In other emergency events such as flooding, the decision is
taken according to the extent and severity of the event.
What can I do if I notice an abnormal water flow in my region?
Ensure
your own safety and that of those with you. Follow the instructions
given in the Flooding Security and Safety Advise. Inform the PIOR on 999
and the NDRRMC on 2073900.
When do schools close in relation to identified threats or disasters?
If
a Class II Warning is in force at the beginning of a school day, issued
before classes begin, students and teaching staff should not report to
school. The head of schools/ colleges and support staff should call at
their respective school to ensure that all necessary precautions have
been taken.
If
a Class II Warning is issued during school hours, classes are
immediately dismissed. Schools are closed when classes are dismissed and
all children have left safely in the care of family or appropriate
adult.
Education
establishments are only re-opened when advised it is safe to do so by
relevant authorities. This informaton will be communicated through the
usual channels including radio and TV.
In
the event of heavy rains and floods, schools are empowered to take
decisions according to their specific situation. Usually it will be
safer for children and teachning staff to remain where they are until
the heavy rains have stopped and flood water have subsided. In the event
that flood waters may threaten the school, the Head Teacher may take
the decision to evacuate the premises.
Where can I get details of the flood prone areas/zones in Mauritius?
Contact
your local authorities for adviec on flood-prone zones in your area.
Talk to your neighbours if they are aware of any flood events in past
years.
What should I do in case of flooding?
In
the event of heavy rain and flooding you are usually safest to stay
where you are. Venturing out into flooded areas can be extremely risky.
If at home take steps to secure your belongings and properties. If at
work or elsewhere and not in immediate threat remain where you are and
wait for the rain and gloods to pass. Flood waters will usually subside
within a few hours. Venturing outside or onto roads during heavy rain
may put you in much greater danger than staying where you are.
If
the water level continues to rise and you consider yourself in danger,
take steps to safely evacuate the area. Your own safety is your
priority. Where possible avoid walking through flooded areas and get as
quickly as possible to higher ground and wait until the rains stop
and/or flood waters subside.
Some general advice to keep in mind:
- Never
attempt to walk through fast-moving water. Fast-moving water higher
than your ankle can easily sweep you off your feet. If confronted with a
flooded path it is safer to turn around and find an alternate route. If
you must walk in a flooded area, try to stay to areas where the water
is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front
of you. Avoid stepping into water if you cannot see the bottom. Water
may conceal hazards that can cause injury.
- Never drive into flooded areas. Turn around and find an
alternative route. If you find yourself in a vehicle surrounded by
rising water, secure and leave your car to move to higher ground as
quickly as possible. Remember that moving water higher than the wheel of
your car can easily sweep a car away.
- Turn off power supply at the main switch before leaving your home if evacuating.
- Be aware of areas where flood waters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
- Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company.
- If there is any possibility of a flash flood in your area and it
begins to rain very heavily, move immediately to higher ground.
What can I do when I see a drain obstruction which can cause flooding in my locality?
Report the case to your Local Authority (Municipal Council or District Council).
Is Mauritius prone to landslides?
There are three zones identified as high risks landslide
prone namely at Chitrakoot, Vallee Pitot and Quatre Soeurs. See
Landslides pages for details of how to identify and react to a landslide event.
Is La Butte still a landslide prone zone?
According to Japanese Expert Team, the region of La Butte, previously a landslide-prone zone, is now considered stable.
Could Mauritius be affected by a tsunami?
Although Mauritius is not considered to be in a zone that could
generate earthuake-related tsunami, however there nevertheless exists
the possibility that Mauritius could be affected by a tsunami following
an earthquake in the Indonesia or Makran regions. Additionally, tsunamis
can be created by other events such as volcano, continental shifts etc.
Though tsunami is a low frequency hazard, it cannot be predicted and
can strike in minutes or within hours causing havoc. It is therefore
important to understand what to do in case of a tsunami event.
What are High Waves?
High energy waves affect
low-lying coastal areas. High waves usually affect the Southern and
Western coasts of Mauritius and Rodrigues and impact both on fishing
communities and coastal areas. "Raz de Maree" is commonly used to
describe the effects of high waves and a combination of other factors
causing a rise in sea water levels along the coast.
What is an Earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden rapid shaking of the earth that is caused
by the breaking and shifting of the rocks beneath the earth surface. The
vibrations generated then travel as waves and shaking of the ground is
felt depending on severity of the event.
Is our region prone to earthquakes?
Earthquakes in the region of the Republic of Mauritius and its outer
islands are considered to be low frequency hazards. However, they cannot
be predicted and may strike at any time causing damage.
How do I get support if I have been affected by a disaster?
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster if you need life-saving
assistance call the Police (999); SAMU (115); the Fire & Rescue
Sertvce (114 or 995)
