D4 suburbs face serious flood threat
Monday October 27 2008
SOME of Dublin's most affluent neighbourhoods could be devastated by floods if there is a repeat of this year's rainfall.
A former Lord Mayor has warned Dublin 4 and 6 are at serious risk because of an antiquated drainage system dating back 150 years.
Labour councillor Mary Freehill has said it is only a matter of time before floods hit the area unless funding is provided to address the problem.
The Rathmines and Pembroke Drainage Scheme was built in 1863, making it one of the oldest in the city. If overwhelmed with rainwater, the drains could flood a wide area with raw sewage.
Plans have been drawn up to build new sewers at five points in the area. Dublin City Council is ready to carry out the work, but is awaiting funding from the Department of the Environment. Cllr Freehill tabled a motion at a meeting of the council, calling for action.
"We are now reaching crisis proportions in our area, which was shown by the rain in August. Houses and roads were flooded and this cannot be allowed to go on," she said.
torrential
The five points that need work are at Harold's Cross, Belgrave Square, Ranelagh, Clyde Road and Donnybrook.
August saw the worst flooding to hit Ireland since Hurricane Charlie in 1986. Hundreds of homes in Dublin and Leinster were flooded as torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks and drains to back up.
Some of the worst hit areas included Finglas, Glasnevin and Ballymun in Dublin and Celbridge in Co Kildare.
Record rainfall of 76.22mm over a 24-hour period was measured at Dublin Airport.
Dublin City Council admitted at the time that the capital's drainage system could not cope with the "freak" rainfall.
The council put a crisis management plan into place when the severity of the situation became apparent. In total, around 600 homes and businesses were flooded and Dublin Fire Brigade answered 800 calls over one eight-hour period.
The deluge also brought traffic chaos to the city and led to the cancellation of several major sporting events.
Climate experts have warned that Ireland will have to get used to the kind of rain that caused the flash floods.
- Andrew Phelan
