What is a Torrential Rain?

Torrential Rain is any amount of rain that is considered especially heavy. The proclamation that rains are torrential simply means the amount of rain is abundant, had a fast on-set, or lasts for a long period of time. Torrential rain can cause flash floods or urban floods in any locality while the most likely effect is water accumulations in flood prone areas.

When does torrential rains conditions exist?

The criteria for torrential rain vary from country to country. Torrential rain conditions is said to exist when the prevailing weather produces 100 millimetres or more of widespread rains in less than 12 hours and that this heavy rains is likely to continue for several hours.

Heavy rain may also be responsible for the overflow of rivulets and streams or even major rivers leading to riverine flooding. Such floods usually occur downstream where it may not be necessarily raining heavily.

Another hazard in the aftermath of heavy rain is landslide which can occur on hill or mountain slopes which are usually considered as high-rosk areas.

Mauritius Meteorological Services provide flood warning of a general nature without being site specific or quantifying water level in rivers.

What are the precautions to be taken?

1. Keep school children indoors and not to send them to school.

2. Avoid to venture near flooded rivers and streams and overflowing bridges.

3. Avoid taking long trip in vehicles, especially in flood prones areas. Do not cross  flooded bridges or submerged areas either by foot or by vehicles.

4. In Flood prone areas, secure your belongings and properties. If the water level continues to rise in flood prone areas, evacuate the area if necessary.

5. Avoid going near hill or mountain slopes prone to landslide.