Shoring up the riverbank
‘Leaks’ in March at provisional defences constructed after the September floods were ‘under control at all times’, according to the CHS
WORK to strengthen the defensive walls of the Segura in Almoradí – where the river burst its banks in September with devastating consequences – is set to be finished within the next month.
This was the prediction made by the Segura river and water authority (CHS).
A CHS spokesman explained they are currently working on the construction of a reinforced wall at the site of the two breaches, which occurred when the river filled with flood water.
This stronger structure will then be covered with protective resistant facing.
He explained: “If the work goes ahead as planned without any incidents, we estimate that the reconstruction of the wall will be completed by the end of April and the whole project will be finished by the middle of May.”
He noted that heavy rainfall on March 24 had delayed the work due to the level of the river rising.
“We are aware that the rain at the end of March caused worry amongst residents in the Vega Baja, in particular in Almoradí, but there was never any risk to towns in the area,” he stated.
He admitted that there had been ‘leaks’ in the provisional defences constructed after the September flood to contain the river, but these had been ‘under control at all times’.
The spokesman added that the regional government and Almoradí mayoress María Gómez have been informed of the progress of work at the site.
Wiped off the face of the Earth
The home of Richard and Liesl Cavender was obliterated when the river burst its banks in September and a torrent of water poured out of the breach close to the road bridge, which can be seen in the photos. Their old farmhouse with metre-thick walls was unable to stand the force of the water and was washed away. Fortunately they had already been evacuated from the property when the breach occurred.