This is how flash floods on the vineyard-covered hills in the Pécs conurbation are being prevented

As our Klíma-X column shows, an increasing number of investment projects are aimed at retaining rainwater locally, whilst also protecting towns and villages from sudden floodwaters. The latter causes regular problems in Pellérd, near Pécs, according to previous data from baranya.hu.  

This is because the water rushing down from the nearby vineyard hill, amongst other sources, quickly reaches the village, and the flooding affects not only gardens but also, in some places, public spaces and houses.

A comprehensive development programme is now being launched in this town in Baranya County to tackle this problem, comprising the following elements:

• protecting the western part of the town from water flowing down from the vineyard hill by creating a reservoir to reduce peak storm flows;
• protecting the town centre and its eastern part from floodwaters coming from the Kőhegyi, Cseraljai and Irtás fields by creating another reservoir;
• the rapid drainage of surface water – achieved by deepening and reinforcing the drainage ditches and expanding their network – in order to protect residential properties, businesses and community buildings situated along the affected ditches within the municipality.

Shaping public attitudes is also a key focus

The public procurement contract for the project was signed in October; according to publicly available information, the construction of the stormwater drain and stormwater retention basin will be carried out by Branau Építőipari Kft., based in Pécs, whilst the construction of the sediment-trapping stormwater retention basin will be carried out by Cibalum Design International Kft., based in Pellérd.

The project is accompanied by an awareness-raising campaign, which focuses on raising awareness of the importance of retaining water locally.