River wall repaired
Vegetation clearance work has started before the rainy season arrives
THE PROJECT to reconstruct the sections of the River Segura’s containing wall which collapsed under the pressure of water during the floods last September has finally been completed.
Breaches in the defences occurred at two points in Almoradí, adding to the devastating flooding which was already occurring in the Vega Baja area.
The home of Richard and
Liesl Cavender was obliterated when a torrent of water poured out of the river.
Fortunately they had already been evacuated from the old farmhouse, which had metre-thick walls.
The Segura river and water authority (CHS) project to shore up the river defences and make the walls strong enough to withstand a similar episode of flooding got underway at the beginning of the year.
However, work was delayed by further heavy rain in March and the coronavirus crisis.
A CHS spokesman told Costa Blanca News that they had constructed a reinforced wall which has been covered with protective resistant facing. It is one of number of projects which have been carried out this year to ensure that the walls are able to withstand the intense force of flood water as it cascades down the river to its mouth at Guardamar.
Strengthening work has also been carried out at Formentera and Rojales.
Riverbed works
With the anniversary of the devastating floods coming next month, work has also started to ensure the riverbed is in ‘optimum condition’ before the stormy season begins.
The first section is between Rojales and the river mouth, where clearance of canes and other vegetation is going ahead.
The CHS spokesman noted that the company Tragsa has been handed a 24-month maintenance contract valued at €8 million.
“The objective is to recover the drainage capacity of the river and its tributaries so they can bear the enormous quantities which they receive as a result of the more intense rainfall that the area is now prone to,” noted the spokesman.
The contract also covers the regeneration of woodland along the riverbank and other environmental recovery projects.