Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality has removed 270 tonnes of waste from rainwater drain inlets across the city as part of an extensive cleaning drive launched in response to the increased risk of heavy rainfall. While helping prevent possible flooding, the municipality also urged residents not to dispose of waste carelessly.

The Metropolitan Municipality is continuing its large-scale cleaning operation on rainwater drainage lines in cooperation with the district municipalities of Kayapınar, Bağlar, Yenişehir and Sur. Carried out to help prevent possible loss of life and property, as well as to ensure the uninterrupted flow of traffic across the city, the works are being led by the Departments of Environmental Protection and Control, Health Affairs, and Parks and Gardens. As part of the operation, teams inspected rainwater drain inlets and removed 270 tonnes of waste.

Teams cleaning rainwater drain inlets in the districts of Bağlar, Kayapınar, Sur and Yenişehir transported the 270 tonnes of waste collected from the field to the Metropolitan Municipality’s solid waste disposal site for disposal.

“Rubbish thrown into drains poses flood risk”

The picture that emerged during the clean-up once again laid bare the impact of littering on urban infrastructure. Providing information on the works, Solid Waste Branch Manager Mehmet Baran said teams encountered large amounts of household waste and plastic bottle caps during the clean-up, and added: “Across the city, our two 12,000-cubic-metre trucks each make three trips a day to collect waste. In particular, when we opened the grates, we saw plastic bottle caps, metal containers, various plastics and rubbish bags thrown inside. This causes water to accumulate and creates a serious hazard.”

Baran stated that all rainwater drain grates and manhole covers across Diyarbakır had been checked as part of the works.

“Everyone must fulfil their responsibility”

After the extensive cleaning of the grates, Baran warned residents not to throw rubbish into them, stressing that waste discarded carelessly could have serious consequences and that everyone must take responsibility for a cleaner city.

“We are making an intensive effort to keep the city clean”

Baran said the municipality was making a major effort to maintain cleanliness across the city and added that teams were serving residents around the clock in waste collection, sorting and recycling.