The Finance Minister said yesterday that it is not government practice to cover the risks which are normally assumed by insurers in the case of floods.

He was replying to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, who asked whether the government would consider helping families and businesses in Pawlu Farrugia Street, Qormi, who suffered thousands of euros in damages in the floods of Monday, October 25. A number of homes and stores in that street were flooded and cars were extensively damaged. An undertaker suffered the loss of hundreds of coffins, some of which floated away with the raging waters.

Minister Tonio Fenech said that it was not normal for the government to cover risks which were normally covered by insurance. In this case, no requests had been received by the government.

REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE

Home Affairs Miister Carm Mifsud Bonnici told Labour MP Chris Agius that on October 25 the Civil Protection Department received 30 calls for assistance because of flooded homes and 10 calls for flooding in industrial zones. The rescuers also intervened to help the drivers of 17 cars which stalled because of the flood waters.

FLOOD RELIEF PROJECT

Replying to a question on how the risk of flooding in Qormi could be eased, Resources Minister George Pullicino said that some of the water which gathered at Wied Incita and normally flowed down to Qormi would be deviated to a series of galleries which would be built between Attard, Birkirkara and Ta’Xbiex.

The bridges over Valley Road, Qormi would be replaced, to facilitate the flow of water . A major culvert would be built at the bottom of Wied is-Sewda and a new opening for water would be created near the Skew Arch Bridge at the Lowenbrau roundabout.

Water would be deviated near the old bridge at the golf course and new bridges would be built at Aldo Moro Road for the rainwater to flow better into the sea.