Aftermath of Sunday’s tidal waves-President visits worst hit areas on Mahe |28 December 2004

The President’s visit to these areas came immediately after a similar inspection on the inner islands of Praslin and La Digue.

Accompanied by ministers Danny Faure, Sylvette Pool and Vincent Meriton and Land Use PS Gerard Lafortune, President Michel first stopped at Anse Royale where the rushing water and boats torn from their moorings had done extensive damage.

After meeting with the owners of several inundated houses and the  Kaz Creole restaurant – which received the unexpected addition of a mini Mahé when the water rose – President Michel moved on to the community's police station, national guard post and magistrates' court.

Much of the area behind the beach was covered in a layer of sand and assorted debris, washed in from the sea or torn loose from homes and gardens as the tidal waves hit, early on Boxing Day.

The scene was the same at Anse a la Mouche, where the presidential cavalcade was slowed by sand and areas of the road stripped of tarmac by the force of the water.

After another tour of homes hit by the water, including two roadside properties, the concrete garden walls of which had been flattened by the tidal waves, President Michel spoke to Joe Albert, owner of the UCPS company which was working to repair the road in front of Anchor Cafe.

Truck loads of boulders and a mechanical digger were being used to fill a large hole torn in the road in front of the restaurant.

Helping local residents with the task of clearing up were 25 volunteers from the Red Cross Society.

Local Red Cross President, Colette Servina, said that the emergency relief organisation had been called in by the Anse a la Mouche District Administration, to help clean homes that had been flooded.

Ms Servina described the situation as really bad and said that some of the home owners had become increasingly distressed as the extent of the damage had become apparent on Monday afternoon.