● Three years have passed since the tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean Rim on December 26th. What is the state of affairs in Mauritius concerning the emergency action plan that was subsequently launched?

We have taken stock of all the implications, of all the possible impacts of a potential tsunami threat in the region. We are currently preparing a complete mitigation system for the entire republic, inclusing Rodrigues, Saint-Brandon and Agalega. An emergency draft scheme should be released by the end of January 2008.

● The December 2004 tsunami did not affect us as extensively as Sri Lanka or the Maldives. Are we not exaggerating the threat?

Not at all. We are talking of potential surges from tsunamis but also more common climatic phenomena such as cyclones.

Though there are not so common. And particulars are changing. Due to global warming, the sea level is rising. And the higher the sea level, the higher could be the potential surges. According to research, a 1 cm rise in sea level translates itself into a 10 cm rise in the waves?

● And for the moment, what could be done in case of such a threat?

We have already begun simulations and a sensitization campaign is ongoing. In October, at the request of the government and, with the help of the Red Cross, and the Emergency Response Unit we put the technical assistance of the Meteorological Services at the disposal of the Natural Disasters Committee (under the authority of the Prime Minister?s Office) to set up a simulation plan, where we tested how to evacuate people in case of a tsunami alert. The exercise was held in Belle-Mare.

● What was its outcome?

We had the opportunity to see what could be done or improved. For example, we found out how far inland we could move the refugees. The Quartier-Militaire Stadium would have been appropriate in that case.

● What elements did you have to take into consideration?

We first considered the different types of tsunamis that could happen in the Indian Ocean. We based our projections on the data collected by the meteorological services and the Mauritius Oceanographic Institute? In fact, we had to look in detail all that had to be prepared in a limited span of time if a tsunami alert was generated in the Indian Ocean.

● This implied training, exchange of data and modeling?

Absolutely. We had for instance to work out how waves travel. We carried out these workshops in teams where all the concerned parties were present. For example, the Oceanographic Institute produced an inundation map - this map was scheduled for January 2006 in the initial action plan) showing the areas in Mauritius and Rodrigues most prone to be affected by tsunamis or giant surges.

This was of great interest for the preparation of the evacuation plan to be implemented by the police. On another level, the meteorological services gave talks to all the stakeholders on the emergency plan.

● Did you benefit from the help of the regional countries?

We experienced several training sessions both locally and abroad. The help of the Indian government has been put to contribution to transmit the know-how in the field of bathymetry (measurement of the ocean?s depths through drilling methods). This is essential as the topography of the sea floor can help determine the kind of waves to be expected, and assess the model of tsunami to be generated.

● Still we are depending from abroad to be able to launch an emergency alert. Could Mauritius host a tsunami observation center?

We actually do not possess the necessary technology. Tsunamis don?t arise like cyclones. They come suddenly. We are not in a position to take the responsibility to inform all the threatened coasts. A Tsunami coming from Indonesia would take from 8 to

9 hours to reach our coasts. For the time being, we are working in order to extend a proper response to such an eventuality. Still we work with countries of the Indian Ocean Rim to exchange information in an integrated way. We will definitely have a centre in the region. The hosting country will have to possess the necessary means. At one stage, Australia seemed the best candidate. Now Indonesia has positioned itself as a contender.

● What are the different services that will be mobilized in an emergency plan?

All the above-mentioned, including the police but also telecommunication services, the port authority, bodies related to tourism. Once we finalize the emergency scheme, any stakeholder that could be affected by a tsunami - like hotels - will have to settle a contingency plan based on the scheme.

● Is the general public sufficiently conscious?

We have manifestations of interest, even calls at the office. But still, we are carrying out a vast sensitization campaign, mainly in schools or youth centers. Young people are particularly receptive and we foster on education. More than 100 schools have already been touched by our campaign, which is ongoing. Pamphlets have been launched both by the ministry of Environment and our own services. Talks are being organized on the TV and radio.

● Are communities like fishermen aware of this emergency plan?

We have actually sensitized them. To such an extent that some are now following attentively any earthquake in the Indian Ocean Rim.