Dredging Will Stop Flooding at Waidamu, says Minister Reddy
KUNAL DEO
Flooding along the Waidamu River in Tailevu is expected to stop after it is dredged. The Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy made the remark when he launched the first phase of the dredging project on Monday. The dredging work of the offshore channel has started. It will allow the discharge of sediments at the river mouth during peak events.
Productive environment
Mr Reddy reiterated that Government was committed to providing a safe and productive environment for all communities.
“We seek to build your resilience to protect your families, your livestock, and your properties. We will do this through carefully addressing issues pertaining to waterways, through increasing the conveyance capacity and releasing the free flow of water,” he said.
“The Government for its part will excel in its efforts to mitigate the impacts of flooding and build resilient communities through exercises like this.
“The ministry’s ardent hope is that the community of Waidamu will have a peaceful rainy season ahead sheltered and tucked away protected from the raging floods as seen in the previous years.”
He said flooding in the waterways was intrinsically related to climate change He said it was getting more frequent with economic and social repercussions.
Mr Reddy also urged the villagers to be mindful of actions the communities took which affected the drainage and waterways services.
Sustainable solutions
The Minister for Lands and Mineral Resources Ashneel Sudhakar, who accompanied Mr Reddy, said the dredging of Waidamu River mouth was essential because it would provide positive and sustainable solutions in mitigating the damage caused by rising sea levels “The Dredging program by the Ministry of Waterways and Environment will alleviate damages along the coastline, ports and access channels, rivers, lakes, and estuaries as these areas are constantly exposed to threats caused by rising sea levels and increases in flooding.”
Mr Sudhakar said his ministry strongly supported enhancing the work carried out by this Government through the Ministry of Waterways and Environment.
He said this dredging work would address the threats of the flooding events along the Waidamu River that had caused major loss and damage of property and livestock in the communities.
About project
The total length of the proposed dredged channel is 2.7kms from the mouth of Waidamu Creek with a depth of 3.5metres. Dredging Solutions is the contractor engaged by the Ministry to carry out the dredging works.
The dredging work would prevent flooding and protect the communities and individual households from floods.
It will also protect the livestock and agricultural production, preventing the backflow of water during peak events.
The drainage system in Korociriciri is directly connected to the Waidamu River.