A total 83 tons of material mainly silt, soil and other debris was collected from water catchment facilities since the beginning of the year, a spokeswoman in the Infrastructure Ministry said.

She said that the culvert cleaning unit, within the ministry’s Cleansing Directorate, was responsible for the cleaning of all pits and gratings in all arterial and distributor roads in Malta.

The directorate deployed a team of workers on regular maintenance and cleaning of culverts in such areas was ongoing. In the past days, special emphasis was given to culverts in low lying areas.

Works consisted in the cleaning of gratings, manholes, pits and crossings constructed under these roads which cater for the storm water system.

Particular attention is given to areas such as Burmarrad, Qormi, Msida, Birkirkara and Marsa.

Manual works often require the assistance of high pressure vacuum equipment, the spokeswoman said.