Manama: King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud has ordered an investigation into several accidents that occurred in western areas of the country, particularly in Jeddah, after heavy rains on earlier in the week caused flooding.
At least nine people including four children were killed as a result of the floods. Residents complained that flooded roads, and particularly the Jeddah underpass, caused havoc and led to the temporary closure of businesses and services.
Prince Khalid Al Faisal, the governor of Makkah, spoke to King Salman about the accidents caused by the floods. The city of Jeddah is under the administration of Makkah.
“The king is always keen on constructive criticism and our doors are always open to anyone who wants to contribute to the correction of our mistakes,” the prince said.
Initial reports pointed to some problems with drainage as a result of poor maintenance. It also said that water pumping of flooded roads was delayed due to an electricity outage.
Jeddah’s infrastructure has been improved over the years due to previous issues with flooding. “If rains fell on any other city there would be similar problems,” the prince explained. “Wadi waters did not enter Jeddah because the systems that were put in place worked accordingly to prevent threats,” he said.
An emergency system was set up for wadi waters to divert them to side channels, then to a main channel and finally into the sea.
The wadi waters were shifted as per the emergency plan to side channels and then onto the main channel and ultimately into the sea.
On Thursday, several cars were found submerged under the 70 Underpass.
