Report on Tropical Cyclone Dina
Causes Major Damage on Mauritius

Report by UCG Member Suren Proag

January 25, 2002

Greetings to all of you!

This is to inform you that intense tropical cyclone Dina caused major damage to Mauritius on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 January, bringing with it torrential rain.

We are thankful that the centre ("eye") did not pass through the island, as it was estimated that winds gusting about 270 km/h would have caused absolute havoc.

As it is, the closest Dina came was about 50 km north of Grand Bay (a sea resort almost in the north of Mauritius) and, though it curved around the island and travelled along the west coast, it gradually went away towards Reunion Island (an overseas Department of France).

However, Dina being a major cyclone, left scenes of desolation in its track. Rivers overflowed their banks and flooded roads. Branches and uprooted trees made many roads difficult to use. Several people lost their homes. Several thousands more had their homes flooded for various reasons (shoddy workmanship, the violence of the winds and rains, etc.).

Only a few hundreds have become homeless. There are "refugee centres" for those whose houses are not solid and those who lose their homes during the cyclone. The police and SMF (Special Mobile Force - a military-type unit within the Police) help to transport these people.

Most of the island was without electricity since 9.30 - 10.00 p.m. (17.30 - 18.00 GMT) Monday night. I got it back late Wednesday afternoon, about half an hour before sunset. Twenty four hours later, my brother who lives about 1 km distance from me still hasn't received it back. It was estimated that tonight only about 50-60% of the island would have electricity.

Even at work, it was only today Thursday morning that electricity was back, but was only because the building has its own sub-station/generators.

I am enclosing a few photos as attachments (picked up from 2 newspapers) for your personal information.

Regarding the Church members.

I have not contacted one person yet, but everyone else is fine. I am sure the other person - a lawyer - is O.K. as well. One of our members who lives in a housing estate told me that water did get into his house, but there was no damage. According to a press report, some other houses in the same housing estate were quite damaged.

Personally, I was not nervous - I have been through Gervaise (1975) when I was 19 and God had already called me. The highest gusts recorded then was about 280 km/h, and it was estimated that in Quatre Bornes it came to 300 - 325 km/h. Gervaise went right through the island and stayed with us for at least 36 hours (as far as I can remember). Cyclones can slow down or even become still for hours.

However, I think I will have wooden boards made for my windows that face the winds. If even one window pane gets smashed during a cyclone, it will be most dangerous to fix it - and that is assuming it is during day time!!

For those who have never experienced a cyclone, I'll tell you this: It is not fun to hear the winds howling during a dark night and beating against your window panes continuously, even more so if you live alone!

This time with Dina, the highest gusts recorded in QB was 'a mere' 169 km/h. The various gusts recorded around the island have ranged 150 - 200 km/h, with a peak of 206 in Port Louis, the capital.

What do people do during cyclones, specially with no electricity ?

The MBC (Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation) has special radio programs day and night - mainly songs music and people phoning in for various news, some even being unofficial reporters. And of course, the weather news being broadcast every hour and new cyclone bulletins every 2-3 hours. A senior officer of the Met Office (very often the Director himself) is often interviewed live via telephone.

Some people simply cannot sleep during cyclones. They listen to the radio.

In case you are still wondering how, most Mauritians have at least one small battery-operated radio. In fact, as soon as it is known that a cyclone is approaching, Mauritians rush to the shops for candles, bread and .. batteries. These are meant for radios and electric torches.

That's basically all I can tell you at this time. I am sorry that this "report" may not have a proper flow.

Since yesterday, people have started the big clean up. This could take up to a week, as will the resumption of all normal services in the country.

Thank you for your prayers.

Suren Proag
suren239@intnet.mu

 

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