JEDDAH: A 100-meter wide road that was cut into a mountain east of Jeddah's Al-Sawaid district allowed waters to flood the residential districts of east Jeddah last month, charged a geography expert.
The road, whose construction was begun in 2007, was cut in the Al-Yamaniyah Mountain, east of the Al-Sawaid district, allowing rainwater from Wadi Quos to flood east Jeddah, reported Al-Madinah newspaper, quoting geography expert Suleiman ibn Abdul Rahman Al-Thinayan.
Al-Thinayan said the cutting of the mountain to build the road caused water to flood the city's eastern districts, as the mountain was a natural barrier against floodwaters.
"The cut in the mountain ... allowed the waters of Wadi Quos to move speedily and forcefully toward the eastern districts leading to the catastrophe," said Al-Thinayan.
He added that the mountain was a natural shield protecting the east of Jeddah from floodwaters.
Al-Thinayan said all those who approved and executed the road project should be held responsible, adding that he had warned several government officials about the hazards of building the new road, but no one would listen. "I am ready to stand before any investigation committee to prove what I say," he added.
He said there were a number of valleys on the eastern side of the mountain and that when it rained floodwaters were able to seep through a vent created for the road and move to Jeddah's eastern districts.
"The mountain was a natural barrier holding back the flood water. But it couldn't play that role anymore after it was cut to build the road," he said, adding that the construction of the road began in 2007 and was ongoing.
Al-Thinayan said the floodwaters that gushed through the vent made a wide ditch that was six meters deep.
However, according to engineering consultant Nizar Abdullah Bougus the closure of the water paths was the main cause of the floods. "Not finding a path to take, floodwaters coming from Miraikh Valley turned southeast, met the waters of Quos Valley and moved on toward Quwaizah and Jeddah's other eastern districts causing the disaster," he said.
He added that the closure of Jeddah's northern drainage systems by residential buildings in the Al-Nakheel district forced floodwaters to change their paths, submerging the east of the city.
Bougus called for the reopening and maintenance of the city's drainage canals to evade future disasters.
© Arab News 2009
