Cyclone Garance: Panagora resumes deliveries with a well-prepared organization
After three days under the grip of Cyclone Garance, Mauritius is gradually catching its breath. At Panagora, the logistics operation restarted as soon as the cyclone alerts and the safety bulletin were lifted on the morning of February 28. The priority? Ensuring the delivery of dry goods and fresh chicken while guaranteeing the safety of teams on the ground.
"Throughout the day, our distribution team closely monitors the situation, identifying areas of water accumulation and potential roadblocks," explains Yovan Jankee, Communication & Sustainability Manager at Panagora. "We must ensure that our delivery personnel can move safely and that our clients are able to receive their orders."
Some deliveries, such as frozen products, had to be postponed until tomorrow. "These products are transported in large quantities, so we needed to make sure the entire supply chain was ready before dispatching them," he adds.
This resumption of activities is carried out without haste, thanks to thorough pre-planning. As soon as Cyclone Garance was announced, Panagora activated its cyclone committee, a system that has been in place for several years and is refined with each major weather event.
This committee brings together the Human Resources Director, the Health & Safety Officer, the Logistics Director, the Commercial Director, Warehouse, Distribution, Supply Chain, and Communication Managers, along with other key operational leaders. Their mission: anticipate possible scenarios and coordinate actions based on how the situation evolves.
As early as Monday, February 24, when the cyclone’s trajectory became clearer, several action plans were developed. Special attention was given to scheduling, as Garance coincided with the public holiday of Maha Shivratree on Wednesday, February 26. "We knew cyclone alerts could remain in place until Thursday, February 27, or even beyond. It was crucial to anticipate orders and organize deliveries accordingly," he points out.
Throughout the crisis, constant communication was maintained among teams. By Wednesday, meetings were held via Teams and WhatsApp to track developments. Yesterday, several individual check-ins took place, followed by a general coordination meeting.
"This morning, at 7:10 AM, we activated Scenario 2 based on the lifting of alerts," says Yovan Jankee. "Our HR teams organized the gradual return of employees, with some still working remotely."
At Panagora, organization takes precedence over urgency. "We don’t add unnecessary pressure. We have experience and the right reflexes. The key is to move forward safely and deliver as much as possible under good conditions," he concludes.