Tidal flood in Dagupan blamed on climate change
“FLOODING occurs in Dagupan no matter how we dredge”.
This was the reaction of City Administrator Alvin Fernandez, to call for more dredging activities to mitigate the regular flooding in some coastal areas of Dagupan every time high tide occurs.
“He stressed that the flooding in areas near river banks is caused by the phenomenon of climate change, which can not be prevented “even if we dredge the river.”
The city government has ceased dredging the rivers in spite of the fact that it owns a dredging machine that cost the city P60 million.
The machine was bought by the Lim administration two years ago.
Tidal flood occurs daily in Dior Village, portions of Arellano, Pantal and along A.B. Fernandez Avenue affecting shops and stores.
Fernandez said that tidal rise occurs more often today than in the past due to global warming.
He dismissed impressions that the flooding occurs because the rivers are silted making the need for dredging imperative.
While confirming that the dredging machine still functions and and moored in Barangay Salapingao, Fernandez asserted that dredging is not the solution to the flood problem of Dagupan during high tide.
The purpose of dredging foremost is to make the flow of water back to the sea faster when low tide comes.
He maintained that dredging does not help solve the flooding caused by high tide.
He added that the upgrading of Arellano and Tapuac Streets and soon Mayombo Street was done not to minimize flooding caused by rising sea level but to speed up the flow of vehicles.
He also cited the fact that Dagupan is only one meter above sea level while some parts are below sea level.-LM
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
