Water Authority has no flooding plan, no budget, no organization, climate resilience expert says
Babitsky cited a shortfall in spending over the previous decade and unresolved questions about which national and local authorities are responsible.
Orly Babitsky, a climate resilience expert, has criticized the Water Authority for lacking a plan to tackle flooding. According to Babitsky, only a small fraction of the NIS 7 billion investment intended over the past decade has been utilized. She highlighted the lack of clarity regarding which entities are accountable for these funds and emphasized the disarray surrounding the issue.
Babitsky pointed out that local authorities must adapt to more severe and intense rainfall, which is becoming more common. While local governments cannot alter rainfall patterns, they can prepare for the resulting flooding. She suggested that local authorities could address the problem by implementing various measures under their jurisdiction. One option involves designating specific areas for temporary flooding, allowing the water to seep into the ground and replenish aquifers, which are crucial during hot periods.
However, Babitsky noted that the Water Authority's flood risk management plan lacks proper funding. Despite outlining a comprehensive plan, no budget allocation has been provided. This is particularly concerning, as the scale of the needed investments is enormous, far exceeding the previously mentioned NIS 1.5 billion. The absence of a budget allocation raises serious concerns about the feasibility of implementing the plan.
Babitsky emphasized that releasing a plan without a budget is akin to a joke, questioning how any organization can expect to carry out such extensive work without the necessary financial resources.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
