Praise for drainage rehabilitation work
A65-year-old grandmother was in tears yesterday when she thanked Minister for Waterways Mahendra Reddy for drainage work being carried at Qelewaqa in Labasa.
Gyan Wati said her two years of suffering had come to end because now water from the mountain during heavy rain would not flood her compound. “There were times, sometimes for two weeks, where my compound was filled with water because there was no proper drainage system nearby,” Ms Wati said.
“For many days I was not able to step out of my house with my only grandson. “Today I am very happy because all my fears and stress has gone.
“Now I can start planting vegetables for own consumption and for sale as my land will be safe.”
Mr Reddy, while talking to Ms Wati during his tour inspection, asked her what other problems she was facing. She said she needed electricity and he said he would look into it. “I have been carrying out inspection of the greater Labasa area from yesterday,” he said. “There are three areas in Labasa that are frequently subjected to flooding such as Siberia, Soasoa and Batinikama. “We have done scoping and some drainage work and some problems have been resolved. “The catchment area is very large and we need to understand that the conveyor system of water which has three components. “The lower downstream has drainage system, which is designed to handle storm water not the water coming from waterways.
“The second is the waterway that links to the upstreams and the third component is the waterways that link to drainage system to the water catchment area.
“The additional water from upstream and catchment have to be held there and gradually release it to the downstream. “When we have gushing water from the water shed and catchment suddenly, the waterways system and drainage system can’t handle it.
“The real work for the next three to four years is how we manage our catchment area and watersheds.
“We need to understand what is happening here and have detailed data and plans which we haven’t done.
Once we have done this then only we can develop and make master strategy and manage our catchment and watersheds.”
The real work for the next three to four years is how we manage our catchment area and watersheds.
Mahendra Reddy Minister for Waterways