Heavy rain attenuates worries about water shortagebut shows up weaknesses of drainage systems.

The sun is shining again?. And faces too! People must have been fed up hiding from the heavy rains over the past two weeks. Yet, these rains were much needed for the reservoir levels in the country had hit rock bottom. Drought was threatening water supply and the irrigation of sugar cane fields and other plantations. Of course, some vegetables have suffered and prices have skyrocketed but the fact remains that water is essential for life.

The Central Water Authority is relieved to see that the main reservoirs are nearly full and the situation regarding underground water is far better than it was.

However, this rainy period has been an opportunity to see the lack of infrastructure to deal with blocked drains and flooding. The ministry of Environment has seized the opportunity to announce the setting up of a Land Drainage Unit to tackle future flooding.

Over the past two weeks, many people have complained about their drains or flooded houses. Although the minister of environment, Rajesh Bhagwan acknowledges that much remains to be done, he says this government has been the only one to take the issue into serious consideration. 86 drainage systems have already been set up in sensitive zones for Rs 428 million. 231 other projects are in progress throughout the island involving some Rs 1 billion. Until the Land Drainage Unit is ready, the Land Drainage Coordination Committee as well as the National Development Unit (NDU) will be responsible for tacking the problem.