If ?Hennie? caused a lot of damage to people?s houses and agriculture (see inset), it had at least the merit of bringing a whole system into question again, which is a good thing in itself. In Mauritius, we are often inclined to rest on our laurels on decisions that have to be taken unless the situation really reaches a point of no return. This seems to have been the case concerning the drainage system as well as the cyclone warning system for many years. But the authorities now assert they will bring changes in both systems soon.

The director of the Vacoas meteorological centre announced this on the radio during the weekend. He is in favour of a complete reform of the cyclone warning system. The whole population must have noticed that the effects of the cyclone could only be felt after all warnings had been taken off. All morning, everything was quiet and we could hardly believe the cyclone was getting closer to Mauritius. But as the meteorological centre took off the warning ? as the cyclone was moving away ? gusts of wind and heavy rain began and went on until late in the evening. It was as if the cyclone was scoffing at us!

Many people thought the met office had made a mistake and that the cyclone was coming back? This is not the point. However, the fact is that there was really bad weather outside, but as the met office had removed all warnings, people felt there was no danger and many of them even went back to work. But danger was there ? obviously!

Sok Appadu agrees with this and acknowledges that the system should be reviewed. He has committed himself to working on this. However, he also said that the main problem about the dangers of a cyclone was the mentality of people. ?People continue to go out despite the class three warning?This also has to change!?

But the biggest damage caused by this cyclone ? and even before with the torrential rain ? is undeniably the flooded roads and houses. Hundreds of people had to go to community centres because their houses were flooded out. Everyone seems to agree on the cause of the problem: the absence of (unobstructed) drainage pipes.

Foreign experts who came to Mauritius after the passage of cyclone Dina have already diagnosed the cause of the problem in their report: according to them many people are not safe in their homes during rainy periods as the constructions have been done in inappropriate places and the drainage systems are either non existent or do not work properly.

The National Development Unit asserts that work on the construction of 90 drains has been set up since then. The minister of the Environment, Rajesh Bhagwan, says that Rs 100 million will need to be invested in order to have an efficient network. The minister?s adviser, Ananda Rajoo, claims that the Road Development Authority (RDA) is partly responsible for the present situation, as it has not done its job ? which is to make sure the pipes are kept clean and unobstructed-properly.

According to the minister, such consequences could not be foreseen in so many areas. ?These heavy rains have allowed us to discover new areas at risk.? This is certainly the case. However, other areas such as Morcellement Diocèse or Cité la Cure experienced much damage although the authorities knew of the dangers perfectly well. It seems that they didn?t do their best in some specific cases.

In Vallée des Prêtres, the situation is even more serious. The heavy rains have not only caused floods but also a landslide. Hence, some houses have moved from their initial location.But the inhabitants are happy to live there and do not intend to move away. Some believe, however that they will have to rebuild their houses completely. They say the authorities, which went there to note the damage, are very slow to deal with the problem.

The rainy period may not be over yet. It is a fact that work to prevent such floods from happening again can?t be done overnight. However, we hope that the authorities have measured the extent of the damage and will take all necessary steps to prevent such catastrophes in the future.

<B>Vegetable shortage obliges ministry to import </B>

Planters and experts in agriculture look forward to seeing the sun shine again on their seedlings. The rains at the beginning of March had already started to get them worried but Hennie has confirmed their worst fears. As the shortage of vegetables will go on until June, the ministry of agriculture has even had to take steps ?to reduce consumers? sufferings? by importing vegetables from South Africa, Australia and even India.

As for sugar cane, the prospects are far from bright. According to the director of the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI), Jean-Claude Autrey, only a lot of sun over a quite long period will help to repair the damage caused by the recent rain. As a result, ?the climatic conditions prevailing in the coming days will be decisive for the cane.?