BUILDING retarding ponds in upstream and highland areas might help address the flooding woes in low-lying areas, the City Engineer’s Office (CEO) said.
Apart from clogged drainage systems caused by garbage, the CEO attributed the flooding in the city to the water runoff from overflowing rivers and creeks after heavy rainfall.
“Sa long-term solution, naa mi nakita nga kailangan nagyud nato og detention pond nga in the mean time kung kusog kaayong baha, i-divert ang tubig didto sa detention pond,” CEO OIC Joseph Dominic Felizarta said in an interview posted in Madayaw Davao.
The retarding ponds of detention basins will serve as storage to hold rain runoff from upstream during heavy rainfall. To avoid downstream flooding, this will be gradually released.
Felizarta reported that the Talomo area requires ten catchment ponds after assessment. In this light, the official called on the barangay chief executives to identify locations for detention ponds in their respective jurisdictions.
CEO also considered drainage system improvement as a long-term solution. At present, the office is working on a comprehensive inventory of the city’s drainage system, focusing on downtown areas.
For the short-term solution, the office has been conducting desilting operations to remove clogs and allow water to flow freely. Meanwhile, additional inlets have been installed in specific areas.
The office also deployed personnel to clean the rivers and creeks and extend gabions to around 1-1.5 meters to contain water inside them.
“I-anticipate nato daan, nga before mag-ulan og kusog, kinahanglan hinlo ang atoang river ug mga creeks para dire diretso ang dagan sa tubig, labi nag dinagko nga sapa nga naga overflow tungod sa kakusog (sa ulan),” Felizarta added.
