Team looks into Vuci, Nausori, flooding Some background
The continuous rain over the past week saw flooding in areas in Vuci, Nausori, which never used to be flooded before.
Why and what led to this? What is the solution to this new problem which completely spoiled vegetation for many who are farmers and market vendors. Some of these vendors have not been able to sell their produce in the Nausori Market for almost two months now.
Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Mahendra Reddy, assembled a team to find out what led to massive flooding.
Waidamu River is approximately 18 kilometers long. Agricultural activities cover full catchment. At upper catchment in early 70s, the rice irrigation structures were installed, and later the irrigation scheme was established in the locality of Lakena, Manoca, Buiduna, Korociriciri, Vusuya and Naduru.
In order to source fresh water from Waidamu River, a floodgate was installed in Dravo to mitigate saltwater intrusion.
Rice production in the scheme has since declined, and farmers opt for cash crops. This is due to massive market opportunities.
While Tropical Cyclone Harold had not led to much flooding in the area, past few days’ continuous rainfall saw approximately 35 per cent of roads, farms and residential houses within Waidamu catchment flooded. Heavy winds during TC Harold broke vegetation and trees and due to heavy downpour all debris entered the Waidamu River.
The Dravo flood gate structure has been at the receiving end, two barrels are operating at 50 per cent discharge, while the other two are operating at 100 per cent discharge.
To prevent future instances of flooding, four kilometer of dredging is required for easement of flow from Raralevu Bridge to Dravo floodgate.
A study will also be undertaken to determine the options of installation of additional barrels of spillway to ease discharge.
While three kilometres of dredging has been done from the starting point of the river to the Raralevu bridge, this has to be continued to Dravo floodgate.
When and how will this happen?
Mr Reddy worked on a project whereby the Government does not pay for dredging, but the company which wins the tender for dredging takes all the dredged material for its own use.
The Company which was awarded the dredging work is being pursued to see how soon they can resume the dredging work in the area.