Over 90 reports flagged by local councils on Storm Harry damages

Following the devastating effects caused by Storm Harry, 24 local councils have flagged 92 reports of damage or assistance for clean-ups in their locality. 

For two days in January, Storm Harry battered the island with gale-force winds and tore down hundreds of trees, wrecked seafront shop fronts, and caused extensive damage at Għar Lapsi.

Following the storm, the government urged local councils to report any damage caused by Storm Harry, especially damage that could pose a risk to residents.

In a statement on Friday, the Public Works Department said the requests range from damage to rubble walls to extensive cleaning operations and the need for structural works.

The Public Works Department has already begun carrying out works and interventions in the 24 localities where there was a danger to the public or a lack of accessibility.

The statement also gave an update on the recently launched public consultation 'Għar Lapsi - Back to the People'.

The picturesque area in Siġġiewi was decimated by the strong waves and gale-force winds which battered the bay, destroying slipways, a seaside restaurant and smashing boats inside boathouses. 

The statement said around 170 proposals had been submitted since Friday on what people would like to see done in Għar Lapsi.

Over the past month, the Department assisted fishermen in hauling their boats ashore and carried out extensive clean-up works to remove debris and material washed onto land.

Meanwhile, the Coastal and Flooding Unit within the Public Works Department took steps to close off access to the area to safeguard public health and safety and initiated geological studies on the rock formations along the coastline.

The public consultation remains open until February 24.