Aftermath of rock slide at North East Point Expert from Reunion assists DRDM |08 July 2017

Anthony Rey, a geotechnical engineer from Reunion Island is assisting the Division of Risk and Disaster Management (DRDM) in the aftermath of a rock fall incident at Upper North East Point which affected mostly two main properties on June 9.

Following the accident, DRDM in collaboration with two geologists from Seypec conducted a rapid assessment of the affected houses and rock situation on the slopes above and found that it was best to tackle the remaining rocks on the cliffs and remove them if possible.

But before this can be done, a full detailed assessment has been ordered and Seychelles has requested help from the French government.

Subsequent to the rapid assessment, Mr Rey gave a presentation to the stakeholders on possible ideas to better tackle the rock fall incident, so that the people affected can finally come back to their respective houses.

The director general of the DRDM Paul Labaleine stated that such briefing from the expert will allow the stakeholders along with DRDM to better understand the risk factors.

“After the assessment, Mr Rey and our local technicians came up with some recommendations to tackle the issue. Firstly we must find a solution to prevent more rocks from falling and affecting other houses in the surrounding areas. By preventing the rocks from falling, the affected community can finally return to their respective area. But before we can make the area safe again, we need to find the necessary resources, also get help from the government to assist us in the project,” he said.

He added that Mr Rey will provide his expertise on how to better tackle those issues in a safer environment, to benefit the affected community.

“With the help of Mr Rey it will provide us with adequate knowledge and guidance to better structure our ideas to make the area safer. We have also realised that in the future, we have to do more studies before doing construction in areas such as North East Point, Copolia, among others,” he said.

From Geological and Mine Research Office Mr Rey pointed out that they assisting with to diagnose the situation at North East Point.

Mr Rey said that as the risks of rocks falling are still present, they have come up with some recommendations to eliminate the risks and protect other houses that could potentially be affected. At the end the people affected can return back to their respective areas.