Wallonia's government says it has approved the 2022-2027 Flood Risk Management Plans, PGRI, aimed at reducing the negative effects of inundations in the south of the country.
The plans are based on the results of a survey that yielded 590 comments from the public, and on lessons learned from the devastating floods that hit Wallonia in July 2021, claiming many lives and causing extensive damage to households, companies and public infrastructure.
The PGRI establishes general objectives and strategies at the regional level and action points at the local and supralocal levels.
It sets 48 measures for the Walloon Region, including raising flood risk awareness at the local level and improving hydrological and meteorological observation networks. In addition, natural retention basins must be mapped, and storm basins restored.
Funding for hundreds of projects
More than 940 local and supranational projects were also submitted by local operators such as municipalities, provinces and watercourse managers. These include raising banks, dredging waterways, creating streams for runoff water and planting hedgerows.
Walloon Environment Minister Céline Tellier has released 71 million to support municipalities in implementing these projects.
“Flood management is a priority for our region, especially since the terrible floods of July 2021," Walloon Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo stressed. "Flood risk management plans must enable us to provide a coordinated response and anticipate.”
In 2007, the European Union developed a framework to assess, map and reduce flood risk in Europe with a directive that requires each member state to assess flood risks on its territory and draw up management plans.
