Of 238 requests received at the Municipality during the intense rains on Friday, only 40 corresponded to storm drains.
The mayor of Montevideo and pre-candidate for the presidency of Uruguay for him Frente Amplio, Carolina Cosse, pointed out that the heavy rains on Friday that flooded much of the capital were due to the “climate change”. Likewise, he announced that there will be projects aimed at areas affected by the storm.
“The phenomenon that happened today in some parts of Montevideo is a rain of more than 100 millimeters. This is due to climate change. What’s going on? It’s like throwing a bucket of water into the bathroom sink. The sink is ready when you turn on the tap, but when you throw a bucket delay in draining“Cosse explained at a press conference.
Likewise, the mayor indicated that the Municipality put together a protocol to “prevent”, through which 300 critical points in Montevideo. “Preventive cleaning has been done, although it is up to the municipalities, but the mayor took it over and we have had no problems at those points,” he stated.
During yesterday’s rains, the departmental government received 238 requests through the number designated for this, and according to Cosse, “more than half” have already been attended to. “Of these requests, only 40 are from storm drains. The problem is of another dimension, it rains in an hour what it rains in a month,” he said, insisting on climatic phenomena as the main explanation for the floods.
Investments for affected areas
The leader also maintained that there are problems with the drainage system and that it is necessary to adapt them for the new river patterns, a product of climate change.
“It must be done important investments. We already have a project soon, for example for the area of La Paz and Rondeauis in the environment of 23 million dollars and others are needed 7 million dollars for expansion. Also in an area of Pocitos”, Cosse stated.
“As long as we cannot invest in those areas, we are going to think that the worst is going to happen and be very transparent with the population. In those areas we are going to cut off traffic and notify WhatsApp drivers to avoid those intersections,” he said.
Finally, he pointed out that together with the Ministry of Housing They are going to carry out an agreement “for repairs to precarious aspects” of housing. “In the week we will be exchanging a draft for that project,” concluded the mayor.
Source: Ambito
