A TOTAL of 61 creeks require emergency de-silting in the country.
This was announced by Minister for Waterways Dr Mahendra Reddy yesterday adding these include 15 in the Central division, 30 in the Western division and 16 in the Northern division.
‘Of above-identified creeks, most are being filled up with sediments and silt including gravel and requires removal of this slit and gravel to restore the conveyance capacity of these creeks to its original state, so that during times of heavy rainfall, excessive runoff is quickly discharged,” he said.
“The situation dire and sediment-laden creeks pose an immediate risk to health, life, property, of communities living in its vicinity,” he added.
Minister Reddy added there will be more than 55,900 beneficiaries of this project.
“We aim to get flooding issues associated with clogged waterways sorted. We have had success at creek de-silting works Nakauvadra creek, where we were able to significantly reduce the flooding in the Rakiraki town and anticipate after the works have been carried at the above sites, the local communities will be safe,” he added.
