Work on the national flood relief project has been concluded, Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi said.

He said that although the project should reduce the impact of floods, it would not solve the flooding problem all over the country.

The government, the minister said, would be studying the effects on other areas that were not included in the project and see how it could implement additional works to mitigate the problem.

The €55 million project, which was partially financed by the European Union, should help mitigate flooding in Birkirkara, Lija, Msida, Balzan, Attard, Iklin, Gżira, Marsascala, Żabbar, Żebbuġ, Qormi and Marsa.

Close to 17,000 people would be affected positively in a direct manner and more than 213,000 indirectly. Some 4,500 properties would also be benefitting.

The project should also help in the better management of rain water for this to be used as a resource.

It included the building of around 16 kilometres of underground tunnels to take in rain water and a reservoir which can take around 10,000 cubic metres of water.