Desilting works along the Nakauvadra River in Rakiraki have commenced

Good news for the people in Rakiraki Town and neighboring communities as efforts are being put to reduce the impact of flooding.

Desilting works along the Nakauvadra River in Rakiraki have commenced to help minimize flooding.

Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr. Mahendra Reddy says the de-silting would also benefit farmers who earn a living along the river bank.

He says the emergency desilting work would ease the water flow of the river and its adjacent creeks during heavy rain.

Reddy says the desilting works will be carried out from near the Rakiraki Market towards the mouth of the Penang River and this would be referred to as the 3rd Phase of Nakauvadra River Channel Improvements Works.

He says these works will include the removal of rubbish, excessive silts and sediments, cleaning, and disposal of debris and dead tree trunks.

Reddy stressed the important role of the public in helping to maintain creeks and drains by refraining from disposing rubbish and household goods in waterways which significantly contributed towards flooding.

He says while a lot of drainage works has been done by the Ministry, they still find these drainage systems are not well maintained once cleared and are often filled with tires, household rubbish, motor vehicle parts, which blocks the drains causing floods during heavy rain.

Reddy says the river bank protection work was handed over to the Rakiraki Municipal Council that will not only address bank erosion but will also safeguard the neighboring buildings from further infrastructural damages.

Meanwhile, the Rakiraki and Tavua Town Council Special Administrator Mark Tuilau says this work will further boost the businesses in Rakiraki Town who are often affected by flooding.