Action plan announced after 700 emergency calls and cargo loss at sea

More than 700 emergency calls were made and shipping containers fell into the sea during Storm Harry, Robert Abela revealed as he launched a government recovery action plan. 

The prime minister on Thursday convened an extraordinary meeting to kick start an action plan and launch regeneration projects in the wake of Storm Harry.

The meeting included several members of the Cabinet, together with the leadership of entities, agencies, authorities and disciplined forces.

During the 48 hours in which the storm was at its peak, the disciplined forces received more than 700 calls for assistance, and Transport Malta intervened around 50 times through its officers to address road safety hazards caused by fallen trees, road signs and billboards. Infrastructure Malta has also carried out works in affected zones.

While the worst of the storm may now be over, the prime minister revealed that in recent hours, a number of containers fell overboard from a vessel outside Maltese waters. He added that this incident has prompted an appeal for “caution and vigilance” among mariners due to potential hazards at sea.

Robert Abela said the government’s work following the storm this week is proceeding along three main tracks, namely removing any immediate danger, ensuring no one is left unaided, as well as repairing damage and regenerating affected areas.

Areas affected by the storm, particularly coastal localities such as Għar Lapsi, Wied il-Għajn, Marsaxlokk, Sliema and Xgħajra “must be restored”.

Għar Lapsi has been closed due to safety concerns and the prime minister said that work will start so that part of the area can be made safe and reopened to the public in the coming months.

In the coming days, the Cleansing and Maintenance Division will carry out a nationwide clean-up following the focused interventions undertaken in recent days in affected areas. General maintenance works will also be carried out across the country.

The meeting also received a report on various precautionary and preventive measures that proved effective, including those by the Water Services Corporation, which, through a contingency plan involving water storage and reserves, managed to continue supplying customers despite extensive damage sustained by several reverse osmosis plants, including those at Lapsi, Pembroke and Ħondoq ir-Rummien.

Thanking all workers who responded “with great dedication” during and immediately after the storm, Abela pointed out that Malta had been prepared for the sever weather and no deaths or serious injuries were reported.

“Malta’s economy allows the state to provide assistance and no on should be left alone, including families and business owners who suffered damage and incurred significant expenses,” he said,

He referred to existing assistance for business owners through schemes such as Microinvest and Business Development Scheme, pointing out that additional aid “needs to be introduced for farmers, livestock breeders and fishermen”.

The discussion also referred to the National Social and Development Fund through which funding is provided for necessary works and assistance.

Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana said that the government and public administration are currently collecting all information in order to assess the damage left by Storm Harry and urged anyone seeking further information to call on 153 or send an email to assistenza@gov.mt.