Seychelles includes steep and hilly terrain, where prolonged or intense rain can make slopes hazardous. Landslides are difficult to predict and may happen without visible warning. Recognising changes helps people keep distance; it does not replace professional assessment.
Notice changes safely
Look from a safe place for new cracks, bulges or steps in soil, roads or paths; new water flowing or ponding; leaning trees, poles or fences; sticking doors; wall or foundation cracks; and broken pipes. Cracking wood, knocking rocks, ground groans or a sudden stream-level change after intense rain are urgent clues.
Keep distance
Do not dig into a slope, remove vegetation, add heavy loads or divert water based on guesswork. Keep people and vehicles away from fresh cracks, loose soil, cliff edges and the bottom of a moving slope. Never enter a slide to retrieve property.
Choose a safer response
If a slope is moving or signs rapidly worsen, leave only if a safe route is clear; otherwise move away from windows and follow official instructions. Do not cross fresh debris or stand below it. Report the location through established channels without approaching.
Plan for rain
Mark safer rooms and routes avoiding steep-slope bases and tops. Keep shoes, torch, medicines and identification ready. After rain, wait for advice before returning or cleaning. A qualified professional should assess new cracks or building movement.
Preparedness is most useful when it becomes a normal household habit. Review this checklist with the people who share your home, adapt it to your location and abilities, and keep practical supplies where they can be reached. Conditions can change quickly across the islands, so use current official information for decisions about travel, shelter and safety. If a task seems hazardous, pause and seek qualified help rather than improvising. Share updates with household members, check supplies after use, and revisit the plan whenever someone’s needs or contact details change. Keep decisions practical, calm and proportionate to the information available.
Further guidance
An insight from the Development and Resilience Research Monitor (DRRM).