(Image: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters)
WHEN complete, this tunnel 鈥� it is a tunnel carved by humans, not water 鈥� will be more than 4 kilometres long. The Cuncas II tunnel is part of an ambitious 477 kilometre network of tunnels and canals that is being built to provide north-eastern Brazil with water. The region has a long history of droughts, and it is currently experiencing its worst in half a century.
The government鈥檚 solution is to divert water from the mighty S茫o Francisco river. Originating in the south-east and flowing for nearly 3000 kilometres through much of the country, the S茫o Francisco is known as 鈥渢he river of national integration鈥�. But it turns to the ocean before it reaches north-east Brazil. This means the four states of Cear谩, Para铆ba, Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco are left parched. Diverting some of the river鈥檚 flow could give the region a major boost.
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Yet relief from the drought is unlikely to come any time soon. The government鈥檚 biggest infrastructure venture is only half completed. It isn鈥檛 technical problems that are slowing progress, it is bureaucracy and red tape. The cost of the plan has doubled from its original estimate, to $3.4 billion.
The government says water will start to flow to the north-eastern states by 2015.
This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淎 canal runs through it鈥�
