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BAYRAK RADIO TELEVISION 01/03/2010 Intense efforts are underway to eliminate the problems created by floods that were brought by heavy rains continued for three consecutive days as from Friday. The floods brought damages to several houses, work places and hotels in many parts of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, especially in Lefkosa and Girne. Clear skies brought some relief to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as from early this morning. The rains which continued until late last night led to further floods in various parts of the Republic yesterday. In Lefkosa, the stream in Gocmenkoy overflowed its banks for the second time. The Kalavac Lake also run over its banks and caused cracks in lake walls creating a dangerous situation. The Gemikonagi Lake – the biggest in the TRNC – also overflowed. The Gecitkale-Dortyol and Kalkanli-Camlibel Road are also closed to traffic. Meanwhile, work to repair the main water line between Guzelyurt and Lefkosa is still continuing. The Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources Nazim Cavusoglu told BRT this morning that work to repair the punctured pipes which were damaged by the floods is being conducted under difficult conditions. In a statement on the issue, the Mayor of Lefkosa Cemal Bulutoglulari has said that water can only be supplied to the areas mostly affected by the floods, urging people to use water carefully. Earlier, Mr Bulutoglulari said that all streambeds were cleaned and the flow of streams was eased, noting that no area is at risk of flooding anymore. He underlined the need to determine streambeds and demolish all buildings erected in these areas. Separately, it’s been announced that work to remove flood water at the Lefkosa Burhan Nalbantoglu State Hospital has been completed. And the disinfection work at the hospital starts as from today. The Minister of Public Works and Communications Hasan Tacoy has announced that the total cost of damage caused by the floods could be around 5-trillion Turkish Liras. The Minister said that urgent measures would be taken within the framework of a program to be drawn up to eliminate the problems created by the buildings constructed in streambeds. Yesterday, President Mehmet Ali Talat and Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu also toured the regions which were badly hit by the floods. President Talat, who held inspection tours in Lefkosa and Girne said that human error was the main reason for the floods. The President warned that the construction of buildings in streambeds as well as degradation and narrowing of streambeds might lead to further disasters in the Republic unless necessary measures were taken. He also underlined the need for the state to bring all the authorities which gave permission for the construction of buildings in streambeds to account for. Prime Minister Dervis Eroglu who also toured the flood-hit regions yesterday – said that the government is working hard to heal the wounds of the floods. Mr Eroglu noted that investigation is already underway on the construction of buildings in stream beds. |
| Last Updated ( Monday, 08 March 2010 08:28 ) |
