Reply: Mauritius and its outer islands are not entirely free from earthquake risks and tremors, although the region is generally considered to have a relatively low level of seismic activity. The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS) is the official authority responsible for the close monitoring on a 24/7 basis of earthquakes and the progress of tsunami waves caused by seismic activity. The MMS monitors seismic activities around the world through the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the California Integrated Seismic Network (CISN). The MMS is also responsible for the Tsunami Warning and issue appropriate bulletins and Earthquake Information Notes. With regard to part (a) of the question, whenever an earthquake of magnitude greater than 5.0 occurs in the Indian Ocean, an alarm is triggered on the USGS System and the National Warning Centre of the MMS is activated. Information Bulletins are then issued in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the MMS on earthquakes. The bulletins issued are as follows – (i) if the magnitude is greater than 5.0 and the epicentre is within 400 km of the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega or St Brandon, the MMS issue Information Bulletin to all stakeholders; (ii) if the magnitude is less than 5.0 and epicentre within 400 km of the islands of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agalega or St Brandon, the MMS issue Information Bulletin to key stakeholders only (the hon. Prime Minister, the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, the Commissioner of Police and the Officer in Charge of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Centre (NDRRMC), and (iii) if the magnitude less than 5.0 and epicentre greater than 400 km, the MMS do not issue any information bulletin. Since year 2009, Mauritius has participated in all Indian Ocean Wide-Tsunami Wave Exercise (IOWAVE) simulation exercises. The last real-time simulation exercise was carried out on 15 October 2025 across Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega. With regard to Rodrigues, the exercise was undertaken at three coastal locations, namely Anse aux Anglais, Caverne Provert and Jean Tac, Terre Rouge. The inhabitants in the vicinity of the coastal areas were sensitised by the Police du Tourisme, Police de l’Environnement, Fisheries Protection Service and the National Coast Guard. The coastal communities were also familiarised on the dedicated siren and about 56 sea goers were sensitised. Following the earthquake of magnitude 5.4 which occurred on Tuesday 06 January 2026 at around 14.10 hours, at about 77 km northeast of Rodrigues, at my request, a team from the MMS was deployed to Rodrigues to carry out an assessment. The team also carried sensitisation campaigns in Rodrigues from 07 to 09 January 2026 with the main objective of raising awareness on the earthquakes and other natural hazards, and the Early Warning System. The MMS had several working sessions with the Members of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, representatives of public as well as private sectors, and heads of schools. Live interventions were made on radio and broadcasted on TV. As regards part (b) of the question, I am informed by the MMS that a seismometer is operational in Rodrigues since year 2012. It was installed at Reserve Francois Leguat by the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP). All data are transmitted in real time to the IPGP Data Centre, around the world and to global centres such as the USGS, CISN and Tsunami Warning Centres. After the mission in Rodrigues in January 2026, the team from the MMS has made the following recommendations – (i) Conduct of regular and continuous sensitisation on weather/natural hazards; (ii) Set up of a local seismic and tide-gauge network for Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega for early detection of an earthquake and timely dissemination of information. Negotiations for assistance from UNESCO and IOC are ongoing; (iii) Implementation of an effective communication system with all stakeholders, and (iv) Development of a well-defined protocol and SOPs to improve disaster preparedness. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD – MR. S. M., DEPUTY CEO – CONTRACT RENEWAL & CONDITIONS