The Resources Ministry said it has undertaken extensive works to clean and repair valleys and reservoirs ahead of the expected end-of-summer rains.

The first significant rains of summer could hit the islands tomorrow and Monday, with the Meteorological Office forecasting showers.

After months of dry, warm weather, a Met Office spokesman confirmed “moderate rainfall” was expected and there could be “bursts of heavy rain” at times.

The forecast has raised fears of flooding in the usual flood-prone areas such as Qormi, Birkirkara, Żebbuġ, Msida, Marsa and Balzan.

A ministry spokesman insisted the Valley Management Unit had been proactive in cleaning and repairing valleys and reservoirs over the summer, which should help minimise the risk of floods.

Morfu Valley, Baqqiegħa Valley, San Anton Valley and Il-Luq Valley in the areas around Żebbuġ and Siġġiewi have been cleaned, as well as parts of Chadwick Lakes.

Two large reservoirs and their adjacent culverts in Ħas-Saptan were cleared of silt and vegetation, while the reservoir in Mġarr was extensively repaired using bitumen, cement and sealer.

“Valley cleaning is a long and ongoing process but it can only be done in the summer months,” a ministry spokesman said when asked if more valleys would be cleaned before seasonal storms became a more regular occurrence.

The Balzan council said it will begin cleaning culverts in flood-prone Balzan Valley by “mid-September... as is normal practice”.

In Qormi, the scene of apocalyptic flooding two years ago when coffins and cars floated through the streets, the council said it had already begun cleaning valleys in the area to minimise flood risks.

Other councils did not respond to questions about the works they had undertaken to reduce flood risks.

The ministry also pointed out that work had finally started on the €56 million National Flood Relief Project, which has to be completed by 2015 to benefit from EU funds.

When finished, the project should alleviate flooding problems in five main areas – Birkirkara-Msida, Qormi-Marsa, Żebbuġ, Żabbar-Marsascala and Gżira.

Proposals to resolve the island’s flash flooding problems had been floating around for over 15 years before works began on the flood relief project this year. However, even the current project has faced criticism for its plans to channel most of the storm water into the sea through underground tunnels rather than storing it for reuse.