Mauritius water crisis and escalating civil unrest

Mauritius is experiencing a severe water crisis characterized by significant declines in major reservoirs, such as Mare-aux-Vacoas, which fell to 57.1% compared to 87.4% the previous year.

The shortage has triggered widespread social unrest and protests across multiple regions, including Vacoas-Phoenix, Camp-Levieux, and Saint-Paul. Residents have engaged in road blockades and tire burnings, citing perceived inequalities in water distribution between local households and large-scale consumers like luxury hotels and golf courses. Some residents have reported being without running water for up to five days.

In response to the public anger and the shortage, the government has announced emergency measures to provide free water storage equipment, including tanks, pumps, and fittings for households and Rodrigues. Since October 7, the situation has escalated into significant civil unrest, marking the nation’s most severe instability since 1999. Tensions spiked following a police shooting on October 9 that injured a 27-year-old woman, Élodie Thomas. Authorities have implemented a curfew across 15 zones.

As of late October, the crisis has deepened as the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir has fallen below 34%, with projections suggesting it could drop to 20% by November if rainfall does not increase. In several central plateau regions, water distribution is now restricted to once every two days for durations between three and eight hours.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has established an interministerial committee to examine solutions, including the potential use of private underground aquifers. The government is also managing a subsidy program for water tanks and pumps; to date, 28,306 applications have been submitted through the Central Water Authority.