TUBLIC.
RECORD OFFICE
Reference-,
C.O.882/12
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BF REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON,
18
The Collector of Customs reported that cargo could not be landed unless fenders were provided along the warehouses and that there was difficulty for passengers to land.
As the Drainage branch had no emergency work to tackle, part of the staff was employed at once to provide fenders where required. The work is proceeding satisfactorily at this hour.
Communications.
4. The Roads Branch endeavoured to keep roads open right through the cyclone and unfortunately weather news not being available it was not possible to stop them trying to do an im- possible task during the gale.
On Sunday morning 8th, roads were open to traffic from Mahebourg to Port Louis right through to the northern districts.
The public travelling in cars and lorries helped to cut and clear a way through the numerous trees fallen across various roads.
The road to Black River was opened on Sunday up
to Yemen Road at Pont Blanc and to Tamarin Bridge.
The main reinforced concrete spans of Tamarin Bridge resisted the biggest flood yet recorded but the abutments and small spans have been torn away leaving a gap of 100 feet wide on the Tam- arin village side.
At Souillac, the bridge leading to Grande Savanne, Baie du Cap collapsed, one of the main pillars sinking several feet and lean- ing at a dangerous angle.
The main beams and concrete slab have resisted,
Foot passengers can get across but the bridge may collapse at any moment, although an empty Ford car was safely hauled across. Two guardians have been placed on duty to prevent any heavy weights going across. Only one person at a time is allowed to pass at his own risk.
The Police have been informed of the danger of crossing this bridge.
Riviere des Gallets bridge, three arches broken and carried away. Baie du Cap bridge completely swept away.
Road from Old Grand Port to Grand River South East will not
be passable for a few days. Damage done to several culverts and boles dug across the road are receiving attention.
On Monday morning, Inspector Rountree informed me that His Excellency the Governor had requested him to let me know the state of the Savanne Bridge.
19
On calling at Government House, Le Reduit, I informed His Excellency the Governor that all the efforts of the Department were being concentrated on hospital repairs and patching and on road communications.
A single traffic wooden trestle, military type of bridge, will be thrown across the river below Souillac bridge and it is hoped that traffic up to 13 tons will be restored within 10 days.
The gap across the river is 85 feet and approximately 300 feet of roadway will have to be prepared.
Riviere des Gallets bridge will be temporarily filled up with stones leaving sufficient culverts below to allow the ordinary flow of the stream.
(Communications by lorry &c., to Black River and Baie du Cap will be restored next week.
The road of La Coupee from Pont Blanc was washed away in places and several thousand cubic feet of stones are required to fill up the deep trenches carried by the floods.
The road to Chamarel has not yet been inspected but I am waiting for the Surveyor who was on duty in that section and was there during the cyclone.
Water Supplies.
5. Mare aux Vacoas and all reservoirs suffered but very
little.
The supply to Vacoas and Moka was interrupted for a few hours due to a joint in the main pipe being thrown away.
Moka was immediately branched on the Candos Reservoir, but it was not possible to restore the Vacoas supply until Sunday.
Subsidiary At Curepipe several streets were without water. mains were broken through falling trees and posts; also exposed prises were broken. This resulted in considerable loss of water and the reservoirs were quickly emptied so that all houses situated in the upper parts of Curepipe have had but little pressure. The position is now normal.
St. Julien village supplied from Ruisseau Jamblong were without water during the cyclone but the rains proved to be ample for the requirements of the population.
Repairs were undertaken without delay and the supply is now restored but not yet normal.
The other water supplies are working satisfactorily except that of Baie du Cap which may have been damaged.
10430
B 2
80
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.