No more hope from Celina – 7 things you can do

Drought conditions seem to worsen

Drought conditions prevailing, I have to dedicate another post about the weather situation here. This is the third consecutive post to tell you that hopes are fading; we are indeed in or very close to the red zone. With less than 50% capacity our reservoirs are significantly depleting day by day; and if we do not act responsibly we cannot put the blame too much on nature.

At times you badly need an adverse weather, if not for the wind, for the amount of water it may pour; more than the reservoirs can hold. Water is becoming indeed scarce. If it doesn’t rain within the next few days we are doomed. Our tiny island has been spared and it’s the sea which has ingurgitated all the water.

Celina passes by… with a bye-bye

Celina passed off the eastern coasts today. It is now nearly to the south of Mauritius. At 4.00 pm today the tropical storm was about 190 km to the south east. Still of moderate intensity it is moving at about 12 km/h in a south westerly direction. On this trajectory Celina doesn’t seem to represent any threat to our island. It won’t bless us with its rain either; it didn’t last night; not even today as forecast. The weather is however dull and hazy; hardly any significant drops of rain. We’ll have to wait some more. That’s nature anyway.

The authorities give the alarm

The local weather service doesn’t forecast any rain for the coming days. Rainfall recorded to date hasn’t exceeded 25 millimeters this month, which represents only about 15% of the normal. The Central Water Authority has warned against drastic water cuts, especially in the north and the west which are particularly affected by the drought. Government has announced bans on watering and pressure washing until we are blessed with sufficient rainfall.

7 things you can do to preserve water

Less than 50% of water in store is not much, especially if we take into consideration the amount of daily evaporation. The sun is over our head all day. I have pondered over this issue and come up with some tips to help manage the little amount of water that’s left. It calls for a collective action. Each of us has a crucial role; a sacrosanct duty to preserve this precious commodity. Here’s in seven points what we can do:

(i) Do not waste water. This cannot be stressed enough. Use water judiciously. When taking your bath or washing utensils in the sink don’t let the water go when you are applying soap.
(ii) Check for any leaks in your water system.
(iii) Keep enough water in storage tanks or containers for use in times of emergency.
(iv) Do not forget to close the taps; pay special attention when they are dry and they can waste all the water away when the water is restored by the authorities in your absence.
(v) Avoid watering your flower pots or your garden.
(vi) Avoid washing (pressure washing) your car or your house during this period.
(vii) Although it might appear a bit awkward, avoid multiple flushing after wee.

Alternatively you can make use of water from the rivers in the vicinity if there’s one.

Do you have any other tips? Have you experienced such conditions? How did you manage? I’d like to hear from you. Shout – as loud as you can – in my comment box.

6 Comments

  1. Anne December 18, 2007
  2. Alfa King December 19, 2007
  3. Anne December 19, 2007
  4. Alfa King December 19, 2007
  5. Kristie December 21, 2007
  6. Alfa King December 21, 2007

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