There was a lot of runoff water during TC Cody – Dr. Reddy

Minister for Waterways, Dr. Mahendra Reddy says during TC Cody last December, 566mm of rain was recorded in Ba, 453mm in Tavua and 459mm in Nadi and with this amount of rainfall in a short period of time with a lot of developments taking place, there was a lot of runoff water.

He says no amount of dredging and desilting work will assist because these are mitigating and not preventative measures.

While responding to a question in Parliament, Dr. Reddy says the monthly average rainfall now is 217mm per month compared to 108mm in 2013.

He says they are now undertaking desilting and dredging works on about 29 creeks and rivers throughout Fiji. Dr. Reddy adds they have also constructed five retention dams to deal with flooding in Nadi. He says the primary purpose of these dams is to collect flood water, store and gradually release it.

The Ministry of Waterways has also advertised for expressions of interest for desilting and dredging of 99 rivers and creeks.

Meanwhile, SODLEPA MP Inosi Kuridrani says these desilting and dredging processes are not working.

Dr. Reddy says Kuridrani should understand that desilting and dredging processes are only mitigating strategies.