06 February 2011
JEDDAH: Experts are calling for a probe into the alleged delay by the mayoralty to build 10 dams meant to protect east Jeddah from floods. The dams had been recommended by the Geological Survey Authority.
They claimed that the mayoralty spent years conducting theoretical studies and did not notice the drastic weather changes regionally and globally.
Engineer Abdul Raheem Al-Sayyed wondered how Umm Al-Khair Dam collapsed when it was constructed just a few months ago. The collapse of the dam has isolated south Jeddah, he said.
"There should be no room for sympathy in matters such as floods and finding radical solutions.
Objectivity should govern the whole process. If Umm Al-Khair District needs to be removed, then it should be removed in the public interest and to protect lives. If the problem can be avoided by constructing a dam, then the dam should be constructed."
He said it was important to know what caused the collapse of the dam so that mistakes are not repeated.
Waleed Al-Aqaad, an economist, criticized the alleged delay in signing a contract for the construction of three dams at Qous, Mothoub and Ghulail.
He claimed that the signing was delayed until Dec. 10, 2010 which means the construction work would finish after 540 days. "This shows that the flood danger and risk in east Jeddah will remain until next year.
He called on the regional council to carry out its responsibility to closely monitor the mayoralty. He urged the members to ensure the speedy repair of the storm water canals which is scheduled to finish on June 30.
He claimed that administrative bureaucracy delayed the signing of the flood drain projects for one year, despite allocation of more than SR600 million.
He said there are hundreds of thousands of residential units built on valley beds in Europe but these homes are protected by an integrated network of floods canals which are not blocked by trees and mud.
He said sarcastically that some officials are proud that the floods only killed 10 people this year, compared to 120 people in 2009.
JEDDAH: Experts are calling for a probe into the alleged delay by the mayoralty to build 10 dams meant to protect east Jeddah from floods. The dams had been recommended by the Geological Survey Authority.
They claimed that the mayoralty spent years conducting theoretical studies and did not notice the drastic weather changes regionally and globally.
Engineer Abdul Raheem Al-Sayyed wondered how Umm Al-Khair Dam collapsed when it was constructed just a few months ago. The collapse of the dam has isolated south Jeddah, he said.
"There should be no room for sympathy in matters such as floods and finding radical solutions.
Objectivity should govern the whole process. If Umm Al-Khair District needs to be removed, then it should be removed in the public interest and to protect lives. If the problem can be avoided by constructing a dam, then the dam should be constructed."
He said it was important to know what caused the collapse of the dam so that mistakes are not repeated.
Waleed Al-Aqaad, an economist, criticized the alleged delay in signing a contract for the construction of three dams at Qous, Mothoub and Ghulail.
He claimed that the signing was delayed until Dec. 10, 2010 which means the construction work would finish after 540 days. "This shows that the flood danger and risk in east Jeddah will remain until next year.
He called on the regional council to carry out its responsibility to closely monitor the mayoralty. He urged the members to ensure the speedy repair of the storm water canals which is scheduled to finish on June 30.
He claimed that administrative bureaucracy delayed the signing of the flood drain projects for one year, despite allocation of more than SR600 million.
He said there are hundreds of thousands of residential units built on valley beds in Europe but these homes are protected by an integrated network of floods canals which are not blocked by trees and mud.
He said sarcastically that some officials are proud that the floods only killed 10 people this year, compared to 120 people in 2009.
© The Saudi Gazette 2011
