Personally, I don't want to see/hear the announcement of a single new project until they do something about this drainage/flooding problem when it rains. This is an embarrassment, a big, ugly, sickening, embarrassment. It is also one that killed many people and damaged a lot of property. I am embarrassed and I hope all the authorities, from the major and municipality to the governor to the emir of Makkah, to all the other departments that are in charge of the city...every single one of them is embarrassed.
What is the point of gleaming, shiny buildings? What is the point of talking about the tallest tower in the world? And what is the point of talking about gigantic economic cities when 4 inches of rain does this to the country's economic center??

First it was Dubai that embarrassed itself and now it is Saudis turn. There should be a petition started to shake up the whole system so people realize public infrastructure and services are more freaking important than making malls. Put all the damn resources into fixing this drainage problem and get it done once and for all.

/End of rant

i believe investors will think twice to invest in jeddah after this disaster!,aside with financial crisis nothing will be in reality for the next few years wallah alam!

It really is embarrassing. No proper drainage system. No proper sewage system. It takes years for neighborhoods on the outskirts of major cities to receive proper utilities.

It made Saudi Arabia who is the member of G20 look like a third world country. Embarassing really.

I have just saw some more pictures Shocking to say the least!

This is a full report on what had been expended for jeddah
1)
مشروعات عاجلة بتكلفة 7 مليارات ريال لاحتواء مشكلة الصرف الصحي الحرجة في جدة

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جدة: ماجد الكناني
قال مسؤول في وزارة المياه والكهرباء السعودية ان الوضع «الحرج» للصرف الصحي في مدينة جدة دفع بتعجيل تنفيذ عدة مشاريع في وقت واحد، تتكلف

7 مليارات ريال (نحو 1.9 مليار دولار)، لاحتواء المشكلة في جميع أحياء جدة، موضحا انه يأمل ان تكتمل هذه المشروعات بحلول عام 2010 . وقال المهندس محمد بغدادي المشرف العام على مديرية المياه بمنطقة مكة المكرمة، خلال مؤتمر صحافي مشترك مع عدد من المسؤولين في المديرية خصص للإعلان عن المشاريع الجديدة، ان «وضع الصرف الصحي في جدة يزداد سوءا، ولم يعد أمامنا خيار سوى البدء في العمل فورا، وتكثيف الجهد». واشار الى ان القطاع يتلقى ما يقارب 100 شكوى يوميا من طفح مياه الصرف الصحي في أحياء مدينة جدة.

وأضاف بغدادي «عمليا تم اعتماد 12 مقاولا سعوديا للبدء في تنفيذ مشاريع في 21 حيا سكنيا في المنطقة الوسطى الشمالية والجنوبية لمدينة جدة، لإنشاء شبكات صرف صحي رئيسية وفرعية ومحطات معالجة لمياه الصرف الصحي».

وعن آليات التنفيذ وكيفية العمل، قال بغدادي «ستُستخدم افضل أنواع المواسير الفخارية الصينية الصنع، في التمديدات الأرضية، وهي من أجود الأنواع المستخدمة في العالم، ويتجاوز عمرها التقديري نحو مائة سنة»، مشيرا الى أن 30% من تكلفة المشروعات مخصصة لشراء هذا النوع من المواسير، بينما تبلغ تكلفة الحفر والدفن 70%».

وتبرز الأحياء العشوائية كمشكلة تواجه فريق العمل في مشاريع الصرف الصحي في جدة، وقال المهندس عمر باعامر مدير الدراسات بمديرية المياه «هذه الأحياء يلزمها اسلوب عمل مختلف، وتنظيم آخر، حيث يجري مع أمانة جدة التنسيق لترتيبها، ومن ثم إدخال الشبكة إليها، ولكن الشبكة حاليا ستكون من جميع جوانب الحي لحين انتهاء الأمانة من عمليات تنظيم الأحياء العشوائية».

وردا على سؤال حول عدم إنشاء أنفاق أرضية بدلا من الدفن لتسهيل عمليات الصيانة مستقبلا، قال الخبير بوزارة المياه المهندس الدكتور محمد الخضر ان «هناك مناطق فيها أنفاق في جدة، ولكن أي مشروع قبل أن ينفذ تبحث جدواه الاقتصادية وتكلفته، وبناء على ذلك يتم تنفيذه من عدمه، وهو ما منع من تنفيذ ذلك في مدينة جدة». ونفى بغدادي اتهامات وجهت للمديرية باستقطاع مبالغ مالية من المواطنين مقابل التمديدات.

وقال المهندس محمد الفعر مدير مشاريع المياه «نرجو من الجميع مساندتنا، وخاصة خلال الثلاث سنوات المقبلة، فنحن لا نريد أن نزعج أحدا، ولكن تنفيذ المشاريع سيجبرنا على إغلاق بعض الشوارع والطرقات الداخلية في الأحياء السكنية».


المصدر http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issueno=9337&article=240664&feature

Jeddah: Majid Kanani
An official at the Ministry of Water and Electricity in Saudi Arabia that the situation «critical» sanitation in the city of Jeddah to pay to accelerate the implementation of several projects at one time, cost

7 billion riyals (1.9 billion dollars), to contain the problem in all districts of Jeddah, adding that he hoped to complete these projects by 2010. Engineer Mohammed Baghdadi, general supervisor of the Water Directorate in Mecca, during a joint press conference with a number of officials of the Directorate was allocated to announce new projects, that «sanitation situation in Jeddah is getting worse, and no longer have a choice but to start work immediately, and to intensify effort ». He noted that the sector receives approximately 100 complaints per day from a rash of sewage in the neighborhoods of the city of Jeddah.

The Baghdadi «practice was adopted 12 to start a Saudi contractor in the implementation of 21 projects in a residential neighborhood in the central region of North and South of the city of Jeddah, to establish a sewage primary and secondary treatment plants for sewage».

And mechanisms for implementation and how to work, said Baghdadi, «will use its best types of Chinese-made clay pipes in the ground extensions, one of the finest types used in the world, older than the estimated almost a hundred years», pointing out that 30% of the cost of the projects earmarked for the purchase of this type of pipes, while the cost of drilling and burial 70% ».

And highlights the slum problem facing the team in sanitation projects in Jeddah, Eng Omar Baamer Director of Studies Department water «This neighborhood needed a different modus operandi, and another organization, where they are coordinating with the Jeddah Municipality to order them, and then to enter the network, but the network is currently will be in all aspects of the neighborhood until the end of the secretariat of the organization slums ».

Asked about the failure to establish tunnels instead of burial, to facilitate future maintenance, the expert said the Ministry of Water, Dr. Mohammed Al Green that «there are areas where tunnels in Jeddah, but any project before looking to implement its economic feasibility and cost, and therefore be implemented or not, which is prevented from performing in the city of Jeddah ». Baghdadi denied accusations addressed to the Directorate deduct the money from citizens for extensions.

Eng Mohammad Al Fa `ar Water Projects Manager« We ask all our support, especially during the next three years, we do not want to bother anyone, but the implementation of the project would force the closure of certain streets and internal roads in residential neighborhoods ».


Source http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issueno=9337&article=240664&feature


2)



الرياض: «الشرق الأوسط»
أقر مجلس الوزراء السعودي أمس توصيات اللجنة الوزارية المشكلة بناء على توجيه خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبد الله بن عبد العزيز لدراسة احتياجات محافظة جدة لمواجهة أخطار «حمى الضنك» وتوفير أنجع السبل لمعالجتها

وطالب المجلس الذي رئسه خادم الحرمين الشريفين الملك عبد الله بن عبد العزيز في قصر اليمامة بالرياض، بالإسراع في تنفيذ المشروعات المقترحة لعلاج حمى الضنك في محافظة جدة وذلك بشكل فوري وعاجل، وصولا إلى حل جذري فاعل وشامل لهذه المشكلة، وغيرها من المشكلات الناجمة عن عدم استكمال مشروعات الصرف الصحي

تجدر الإشارة الى أن التكلفة المالية المعتمدة لهذه المشروعات تبلغ نحو 1.4 مليار ريال، إضافة إلى استكمال ما سبق تخصيصه من مبالغ لإكمال مشروعات الصرف الصحي في المحافظة وقدرها 7 مليارات ريال.


Saudi Cabinet approved yesterday the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee formed under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to study the needs of Jeddah Province to face the risks «dengue fever» and to provide the most effective ways to address them

The Council demanded that SANA Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, to expedite the implementation of the projects proposed for the treatment of dengue fever in Jeddah, and the immediate and urgent, leading to a drastic solution effective and comprehensive solution to this problem and other problems resulting from failure to complete sanitation projects

It should be noted that the financial cost of these projects approved about $ 1.4 billion riyals, in addition to the completion of the previously appropriated funds for the completion of drainage projects in the province and $ 7 billion riyals.


3)

لأربعاء 17 ذي الحجة 1428هـ
بتكلفة ملياري ريال
م. فقيه يعتمد خطة تصريف مياه الأمطار بجدة
جدة- ياسر الجاروشة:
اعتمد معالي أمين محافظة جدة المهندس عادل بن محمد فقيه خطة العمل الرئيسية لتصريف ورفع مياه الأمطار لعام 28/1429هـ،وتهدف الخطة إلى تصريف ورفع مياه الأمطار التي تتجمع في التقاطعات والشوارع الرئيسية والداخلية والساحات من خلال استخدام شبكة التصريف والتوصيلات أو بواسطة الناقلات تمشياً مع المشاريع المستحدثة في محافظة جدة
وأوضح الدكتور أحمد بانافع مدير عام المشاريع بأمانة جدة أن الأمانة تنفذ حاليا عددا من مشروعات تصريف مياه الأمطار فيما اكتمل تنفيذ بعض المشاريع وسيستفاد منها خلال موسم الأمطار لهذا العام. مبينا أن تكلفة المشاريع الحالية والمستقبلية لهذا الغرض تقدر بملياري ريال وتغطي كامل محافظة جدة
وبين بانافع أن من بين هذه المشروعات مشروع تغطية مجرى السيل الشمالي بعبارات صندوقية بمراحله الثلاث ويتضمن المشروع تركيب عبارة صندوقية جديدة داخل مجرى تصريف مياه الأمطار الشمالي الحالي بدءا من شارع حائل غربا إلى شرق الطريق الدائري وسيتم تنفيذ العبارة الصندوقية الشمالية في غضون (21) شهرا من خلال ثلاثة عقود تبدأ في (6) مواقع ويبلغ إجمالي أطوال العبارات 15ألفاً و 334مترا وستنشأ حديقة طولية فوق المجرى بعد تغطيته بالعبارات مما سيتيح تنمية مساحة 3.9كيلومترات مربعة من مناطق المنتزهات العامة كما سيكون لتشييد العبارات الصندوقية اثر كبير في الحد من انتشار البيئة الملائمة لتجوال البعوض الحامل لمرض حمى الضنك موضحا أن العمل بدأ في هذا المشروع في شهر يوليو الماضي ولمدة 18شهرا
وأفاد أن المشروع الثاني لصيانة وتحسين شبكات تصريف مياه الأمطار شمال جدة ويتضمن أعمال الصيانة والنظافة لشبكة تصريف مياه الأمطار ومحطة ضخ مياه الامطار الشمالية بالإضافة إلى زيادة المقدرة التدفقية لشبكة مياه الأمطار والحد من إمكانية فيضان المياه في الشوارع الداخلية في المناطق الواقعة شمال شارع الأمير محمد بن عبدالعزيز (التحلية) وتم الانتهاء من المشروع
وأضاف د. بانافع انه تم الانتهاء أيضا من مشروع صيانة وتحسين شبكات تصريف مياه الامطار جنوب وشرق جدة وتم فيه تنفيذ أعمال الصيانة والنظافة لقنوات تصريف مياه الامطار المفتوحة الشمالية والجنوبية وكذلك صيانة ونظافة شبكة تصريف مياه الأمطار الجنوبية ومحطة ضخ مياه الأمطار الجنوبية موضحا أن المشروع سيساهم في زيادة المقدرة التدفقية لشبكة مياه الأمطار ويحد من إمكانية فيضان المياه في الشوارع الداخلية في المناطق الواقعة جنوب شارع الأمير محمد بن عبد العزيز
من جهته كشف مدير عام المشاريع عن قرب انتهاء مشروع لتهذيب وتحسين مجاري الأودية (المرحلة الثانية) ويتضمن تبطين قناة غليل الفرعية بالخرسانة والتي تصب في مجرى السيل الجنوبي لتعزيز التحكم في تدفق المياه وتقليص تكلفة الصيانة ويهدف المشروع أيضا إلى زيادة المقدرة التدفقية لشبكة مياه الأمطار والسيول والحد من فيضان المياه في الشوارع الداخلية
وأوضح د. بانافع أن من المشاريع الجديدة مشروع تصريف مياه الأمطار والمياه السطحية بجدة ( أولوية 5) ويشتمل على تركيب خطوط أنابيب رئيسية وفرعية لتصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول ويغطي المشروع طريق الملك فهد وشارع المكرونة وشارع الأمير ماجد وتقاطع طريق المدينة مع شارع قريش وشارع الجامعة وحي الخالدية وامتداد شارع حراء وبعض الشوارع الفرعية في المنطقة
كما تم تنفيذ مشروع تصريف مياه الأمطار والمياه السطحية (أولوية 9) ويتضمن تركيب خطوط أنابيب رئيسية وفرعية لتصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول ويغطي المشروع شارع صاري وشارع الإمام مالك وشارع دلة وشارع فلسطين وشارع ام القرى وشارع المكرونة وبعض الشوارع الفرعية في المنطقة، وأضاف أنه جار العمل في تنفيذ المرحلة الثانية من مشروع إنشاء شبكات تصريف مياه الأمطار (أولوية 7) لتركيب خطوط أنابيب لتصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول في شارع الإذاعة والتلفزيون وحي الروابي
كما يجري العمل على إنشاء شبكات تصريف مياه الأمطار المرحلة الثانية (اولوية 1) لتركيب خطوط أنابيب لتصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول في طريق الملك عبدالله وشارع الروضة وحي الخالدية وحي الشاطئ
إضافة الى مشروع انشاء شبكات تصريف مياه الأمطار المرحلة الثانية - (اولوية 6) لتركيب خطوط أنابيب رئيسية وفرعية لتصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول. وكذلك يجري العمل على تنفيذ مشروع درء أخطار السيول بالقرى التابعة لأمانة محافظة جدة ويتضمن إنشاء مجرى خرساني جديد لتصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول شرق مجمع منشآت حي الأمير فواز ويهدف المجرى إلى التحكم في مياه الفيضانات شرق حي خزام
من جانبه أوضح المهندس حسين أبو ساق مدير إدارة الإشراف على مشاريع تصريف مياه الإمطار والسيول بأمانة جدة انه تم تقسيم المدينة إلى أولويات ويوجد عقد لكل أولوية في المنطقة الواقعة غرب طريق الحرمين وإجمالي أطوالها التقديرية 190كم وهي عبارة عن أنابيب تتراوح أقطارها من 400ملم إلى 2500ملم وعبارات صندوقية في كل من شارع الملك عبد الله، شارع عبد الله السليمان، شارع الأمير ماجد، شارع باخشب، شارع الملك خالد، شارع بني مالك، شارع صاري،شارع فلسطين،طريق الفلاح، شارع المحجر،حي المحمدية،منطقة أبحر الجنوبية،الطرق الواقعة جنوب القناة المفتوحة الجنوبية،طريق الملك فيصل وتنفيذ خطوط لتصريف المناطق الحرجة التي تتجمع فيها مياه الأمطار داخل الأحياء والتي يقدر عددها ب 350موقعا تم معالجة 150موقعا حتى الآن.
وحول الحلول الخاصة بتصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول شرق طريق الحرمين فقد أوضح أنه تم الانتهاء من تصميم الحلول وترتيبها في أولويات حسب أهميتها وتقدر الأطوال لخطوط تصريف مياه الأمطار داخل الأحياء ب 200كم تقريبا وبأقطار تتراوح من 400ملم إلى 2500ملم، تشمل خزانات سطحية وأنابيب في كل من وادي مشوب، وادي قوس، وادي مثوب قويزة، وادي بني مالك، وادي بريمان، وادي دغبج، وادي غيا ووداي أم حبلين. وأوضح ابوساق أن نظام تصريف مياه الأمطار والسيول الحالي بمحافظة جدة يتضمن خطوط (أنابيب) لتصريف مياه الأمطار وقنوات مفتوحة لتصريف مياه السيول ومحطات الضخ والمصبات، وبين انه تم تنفيذ العديد من المشاريع من عام 1392حتى 1428ه، ويتكون نظام التصريف من مجموعة أنظمة أولها شبكة تصريف تنقل مياه الأمطار إلى البحر بواسطة خطوط الصرف ومعظمها عبارة عن مواسير دائرية في حين أن الخطوط الرئيسية في شكل صناديق خراسانية مستطيلة الشكل ومخرجها إلى البحر والثاني القنوات المفتوحة حيث أن مدينة جدة تقع في المسطح للسهل الساحلي للبحر الأحمر وتوجد تلال من الناحية الشرقية يبدأ منها 12واديا والثالث محطات الضخ لنقل مياه الأمطار من المدينة عبر خطوط تصريف المياه إلى البحر مباشرة عبر مصبات صرف الأمطار من خلال عدة نقاط للمصبات على طول الشاطئ

Wed 17 of Dhu al-Hijjah 1428 AH
At a cost of two billion riyals
M. Fakie adopt a plan of storm water drainage in Jeddah
Jeddah - Yasser Aljarushp:
Adopted HE Mayor of Jeddah Adel Bin Mohammad Fakih Master Plan of Operations for the discharge of rainwater to increase in e 28/1429, The plan aims to increase the discharge of rain water that collects in intersections and major streets and squares of the Interior and through the use of drainage network and connections, or by carriers in line with the projects developed in Jeddah
Dr Ahmed Message Board Director of Projects in Jeddah that the Secretariat is implementing a number of storm-water drainage projects completed with the implementation of some projects, which will be used during the rainy season this year. Indicating that the cost of current and future projects for this purpose are estimated at two billion riyals, and cover the entire province of Jeddah
Message Board and that among these projects, covering the northern riverbed terms plummer three phases The project includes the installation of a new Box within the course of storm-water drainage from the present northern Hail Street west to the eastern ring road and ferry fund will be implemented within the North (21) months from the During the three decades beginning in (6) sites and a total length of 15 thousand words and 334-meter park will be established over the longitudinal course after covering terms which will allow the development of an area of 3.9 square kilometers of areas of public parks will also be a fund for the construction of phrases a significant impact in reducing the spread of roaming environment for mosquitoes carrier of dengue fever, adding that work commenced on this project in July last for a period of 18 months
He reported that the second project for the maintenance and improvement of storm water drainage north of Jeddah, and includes the work of maintenance and cleaning of storm water drainage network and pumping station, rain water in addition to the North increasing the capacity of the Network Flow rainwater and reduce the possibility of flooding in the streets of Interior in the areas north of Prince Mohamed Bin Abdulaziz (desalination) and has been the completion of the project
He added. Message Board has been completed and the draft of the maintenance and improvement of drainage systems, rain water south and east of Jeddah, which was carrying out maintenance and cleaning of drainage channels in the rain Open North and South, as well as maintenance and cleaning storm water drainage network and pumping station south of rainwater South explaining that the project will contribute to increasing the capacity Flow Network rainwater and reduce the possibility of flooding in the streets in the interior areas south of Prince Mohamed Bin Abdul Aziz
For his part, Director of Projects for near the end of the project to refine and improve the wadis (Phase II) contains the Sub-lined concrete channel's hatred which is in the riverbed south to reinforce control over the flow of water and reduce the cost of maintenance and project also aims at increasing the capacity of the Network Flow rainwater and runoff and reduce of the flooding in the streets of Interior
And he added. Message Board projects that the new draft storm water and surface water in Jeddah (priority 5) and includes the installation of pipelines and sub-water drainage of rain and floods, the project covers by King Fahd Street, pasta and Prince Majed Street and the intersection of the city with the Quraish Street and University Avenue and the extension of revelation Khalidiya Street Hira and some side streets in the area
The project was implemented storm water and surface water (priority 9), including the installation of pipelines and sub-water drainage of rain and floods, the project covers Sary Street and Avenue Imam Malik and Dallah Street, Palestine Street Street Um Al-Qura Street, macaroni, and some side streets in the region and added that it is still under implementation of the second phase of the project to establish storm water drainage networks (priority 7) for the installation of pipelines for water drainage and flooding in the street radio and television inspired hills
Work is under way to establish a storm water drainage networks, the second phase (priority 1) for the installation of pipelines for water drainage and flooding in the King Abdullah Road and Route K-revelation Khalidiya inspired beach
In addition to the project of establishing networks, storm water drainage Phase II - (priority 6) for the installation of pipelines and sub-rain water drainage and floods. As well as being the work of the draft dangers of flash floods in villages of the Jeddah Municipality and the course includes the establishment of new concrete and rain water drainage and flooding eastern district of Navotas Prince Fawaz course aims to control flood waters in the eastern district of Khouzam
For his part, Mr. Hussain Abu Saq Director of Supervision Department on the draft storm water drainage and flooding in Jeddah that the city was divided on the priorities and no contract for each priority in the area west through the Holy and the total estimated length of 190 km which is about pipes with diameters ranging from 400 mm to 2500 mm and phrases Box in each of the King Abdullah Street, Al-Abdullah Al Suleiman Street, Prince Majed Street, Bakhashab, King Khaled Street, Al-Bani Malik, Al-Sari, Palestine Street, through the farmer, Street quarry, Mohammedia district, a region sailed south, the roads sub - open channel, South King Faisal Road and the implementation of the lines for the conduct of the critical areas where rain water collects in the neighborhoods and the estimated 350 locations were treated 150 sites so far.
On the solutions for storm-water drainage and flooding east through the Holy has been pointed out that the completion of the design solutions and arranged in order of importance and priorities of the estimated lengths of the lines, storm water drainage within the neighborhood of 200 kilometers and diameters ranging from 400 mm to 2500 mm, including surface tanks and pipes in each of the valley guarded , the valley of arc, Valley Msoub Qoizp, Wadi Bani Malik, Wadi Breiman, Wadi Dgbj, Wadi Wadi Ghia or حبلين. The Abussaq that the system of storm water and flood current in Jeddah includes lines (pipes) and rain water drainage channels and open to discharge flood water pumping stations and estuaries, and has been the implementation of several projects from 1392 until 1428, and the drainage system consists of a network of drainage systems, first movement rainwater to the sea by lines of exchange, mostly in a circular pipe, while the main lines in the form of funds Krassanip rectangular in shape and their way to the sea and the second channels open as the city of Jeddah, located in the flat of the coastal plain of the Red Sea and there are hills of the eastern starting point of the valley 12 and third stations pumping to transfer rainwater from the city across the lines of drainage to the sea directly across the mouths of the drainage of rainfall through several points of the estuaries along the coast

4)

جريدة الاقتصادية
الأحد 16/4/1430هـ. الموافق 12 إبريل 2009 العدد 5662
جدة: أمانة جدة تقدر تنفيذ مشاريع تصريف المياه السطحية بقيمة 210 ملايين ريال
جدة : واس

قدرت أمانة محافظة جدة كلفة تنفيذ مشاريع تصريف المياه السطحية وخفض منسوب المياه الجوفية بما قيمته 210 ملايين ريال تم الانتهاء من عدد منها بقيمة 135 مليون ريال فيما قدرت تكلفة مشاريع مستقبلية لدراسة طفوحات وتصريف المياه لبعض المناطق العشوائية بما يقارب 80 مليون ريال.

وأوضح المهندس محمد عاشور مدير عام الإدارة العامة للدراسات والإشراف في أمانة جدة أن الأمانة قامت بتنفيذ شبكات تصريف مياه سطحية في المناطق المتضررة من التجمع المحلي للمياه الناتجة عن تسربات البيارات وتسربات شبكة المياه، حيث تظهر إلى سطح الأرض في المواقع التي تنخفض فيها نفاذية التربة لدرجة عدم القدرة على تصريف المياه المجمعة إلى طبقة المياه الجوفية.

وقال " الأمانة قامت بإعداد دراسة طفوحات وتصريف المياه السطحية لبعض المناطق العـشوائية في محافظة جدة وذلك بهدف عمل شبكات لتصريف المياه السطحية ونتج عن الدراسة 5عقود تنفيذية تشمل أحياء بترومين وغليل والهنداوية والصحيفة والعمارية والكندرة والبغدادية والشرفية ومدائن الفهد ومشرفة والعزيزية والثغر والرحاب وبني مالك وتصل إجمالي أطوال الشبكات المقترحة181 كيلو مترا بتكاليف تقديرية 80 مليون ريال سعودي "

وأضاف " إن الهدف من تصريف المياه السطحية بمحافظة جدة هو إزالة المياه السطحية التي تتجمع في العديد من الطرق والشوارع والأحياء، مشيرا إلى أن المياه السطحية في جدة هي نتاج طبيعي وليست مشكلة دائمة ناتجة عن المياه الجوفية الطبيعية وتنتج من المياه المتسربة من باطن الأرض بفعل العديد من العوامل كتسربات في خطوط المياه وتسربات مياه بيارات الصرف الصحي وأحيانا نتيجة لتجميع مياه الأمطار وغيرها ".

وأشار إلى أن المياه السطحية نتج عنها أضرار في طبقات الأساس والإسفلت للشوارع كما أدى تجمع المياه في بعض الأحيان إلى تضرر المباني وإعاقة حركة المشاة وانزعاج المواطنين من منازلهم هذا بالإضافة إلى ما تشكله المياه الراكدة من مخاطر صحية وخاصة لارتفاع درجات الحرارة والرطوبة في جدة.

وأشار إلى أن إدارة التشغيل والصيانة بالأمانة قامت بتنفيذ عدد من شبكات لتصريف المياه السطحية بعد عام 1420هـ في عدد من الأحياء وتتراوح الأقطار التي تم تنفيذها في هذه المرحلة بين 200 و500 مليمتر وشملت أحياء الرحاب والصفا والربوة والنزهة والبوادي والنعيم والسلامة والروضة والحمراء والعزيزية.

وبين أنه تم تنفيذ عدد من المشاريع ما بين عامي 1424 و1425هـ شملت ثلاثة مناطق بتكلفة 82 مليون ريال وتشمل أحياء النعيم والسلامة والروضة والنزهة والبوادي والربوة والعزيزية والجوهرة والمروة والصفا والرحاب والسامر العربي والأطلال ومخطط بحلس بحي النسيم والأجواد مضيفا أنه خلال عام 1427 هـ تم تنفيذ عدد من مشاريع تصريف المياه السطحية بما قيمته 6,5 مليون ريال وشملت مناطق ك14 وبجانب بلدية أم السلم ومنطقة ك13 وحي النسيم


Journal of Economic
Sunday, 16/4/1430 AH. 12 April 2009 issue 5662
Jeddah: Jeddah Municipality appreciates the implementation of surface water drainage projects worth 210 million riyals
Jeddah: SPA

Jeddah Municipality estimated cost of implementing the projects disposal of surface water and groundwater levels reduced by $ 210 million rials has been completed a number of them $ 135 million riyals, with estimated cost of future projects to study Tefouhat and water discharge in some squatter areas, including approximately 80 million.

The Mohamed Ashour, Director General for Studies and supervision of the secretariat of the Jeddah that the Secretariat carried out the drainage of surface water in areas affected by the local assembly of the water leaks from septic tanks, leaks water network, which shows the Earth's surface at sites with low permeability soil to the degree of capacity to discharge the collected water to the aquifer.

"The secretariat has prepared a study Tefouhat and disposal of surface water for some squatter areas in Jeddah with the aim of the work of networks for the disposal of surface water and resulted in the study 5 executive contracts covering the districts of Petromin and Galil and Alhndaouip newspaper and Ammaria and Alkndrp and Baghdadi and bearings, Madain Al-Fahad and honorable and Aziziyah, gaps and Rehab and Bani Malik, total lengths of networks the proposed 181 kilometers at an estimated 80 million riyals in Saudi Arabia "

"The purpose of the discharge of surface water in Jeddah is to remove the surface water that collects in many ways, streets and neighborhoods, pointing out that the surface water in Jeddah is a natural product and not a permanent problem resulting from the natural underground water and produced water spilled out of the ground by many factors Kedzhrb in water lines and water leaks groves sanitation and sometimes the result of rainwater collection and elsewhere. "

He pointed out that surface water caused by damage to the layers of foundation and asphalt of the streets also led the accumulation of water in some cases, damage to buildings and impeding pedestrian traffic and alarmed citizens from their homes in addition to the danger posed by stagnant waters of the health risks, especially for high temperatures and humidity in Jeddah.

He pointed out that the management operation and maintenance of the Secretariat carried out a number of networks for the disposal of surface water in 1420 after a number of the living and the country ranges that have been implemented at this stage between 200 and 500 mm and included the districts of al-Safa and Al-Rehab and Knoll picnic and rural areas and luxury, safety, and K, red and Aziziyah.

And it has been implementing a number of projects between 1424 and 1425 included three areas at a cost of 82 million riyals, and covering the districts of bliss, safety and kindergarten craft and the countryside and Knoll, Aziziyah and the jewel-Safa and Marwa, and Rehab and Samer Arab ruins and the outline of the breeze and the district Bahlas Alojawad, adding that during the year 1427 has been implementing a number of surface water drainage projects, including a $ 6,5 million riyals, and included areas as 14 and the side of peace or the municipality and the district as 13 Breeze


5)

جريدة الاقتصادية
الجمعة 11/06/1430هـ الموافق 15 يونيو 2009العدد 5716

جدة: 10 مليارات ريال قيمة مشاريع قائمة للمياه والصرف الصحي
الاقتصادية محمد الهلالي من جدة

كشفت شركة المياه الوطنية عن مشاريع قائمة للمياه وتحسين وإنشاء مشاريع شبكات الصرف الصحي في جدة بقيمة تتجاوز عشرة مليارات ريال، في الوقت الذي تعمل فيه على تنفيذ أطول شبكة أنفاق في العالم بأقطار مختلفة واستخدام تقنية غاز الهليوم في الكشف عن التسريبات غير المرئية والتي تستخدم لأول مرة في الشرق الأوسط.

وأكد لؤي المسلم الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة المياه الوطنية، أن الشركة سحبت عددا من المشاريع المتعثرة من المقاولين نتيجة عدم توافر السيولة لديهم، إضافة إلى ضعف القدرة التنفيذية لدى بعض المقاولين، وزيادة أسعار المواد التي تسببت في عدم استكمال الجدول الزمني المحدد، وتأتي هذه الخطوة من الشركة لتسريع آلية تنفيذ المشاريع المتعثرة.

وأوضح المسلم أن الشركة تحرص على الرقي بتقديم خدمات المياه والصرف الصحي في مدينتي الرياض وجدة، حيث إنها سعت إلى توقيع العديد من الاتفاقيات مع الجهات ذات العلاقة التي من شأنها تحسين مستوى الخدمات المقدمة للعملاء.

وأضاف رئيس شركة المياه الوطنية خلال الجولة الميدانية أمس لأهم مشاريع الشركة في مدينة جدة، أن العمل يجري حالياً في النفق الرئيسي بقطر ثلاثة آلاف ملم في مشروع الشبكات الرئيسية والفرعية في المنطقة الوسطى الجنوبية في جدة، بقيمة تتجاوز مليار ريال، إضافة إلى الأعمال الأخرى الجاري تنفيذها في العقد من خطوط أنفاق رئيسية وسط البلد وخطوط صرف صحي فرعية لخدمة المنطقة الوسطى القديمة، مشيرا إلى أن المشروع سينتهي تنفيذه خلال السنوات الثلاث المقبلة ويصل طول الإنفاق نحو 150 كيلو مترا وبأقطار مختلفة.

وقال الرئيس التنفيذي لشركة المياه الوطنية أنه تم الانتهاء من تنفيذ 780 كيلومترا طوليا بما يعادل نسبة 47 في المائة من الخطوط الفرعية في المنطقة الوسطى الشمالية مقاولة شركة الأعمال المدنية، وجار استكمال الأعمال المتبقية في العقد، مبينا أن قيمة العقد 988 مليون ريال، كما أنه سيتم الانتهاء من المشروع خلال السنوات الثلاث المقبلة.

وأبان أنه تم الحصول على الموافقة الرسمية من إدارة المطار لتنفيذ خطوط الصرف الصحي الرئيسية ومنها مشروع نفق 4 أ بقطر 3500مم، ومشروع نفق 4 بقطر 3000ملم، و3500ملم، وخط تصريف المياه المعالجة للبحر بقطر 2000مم داخل شبك المطار لعدم إمكانية تنفيذه في شارع النزهة وسيتم البدء في تنفيذ سور لعزل منطقة المطار ومن ثم البدء في تنفيذ تلك المشاريع وقيمة هذه المشاريع 685 مليون ريال.

وأشار المسلّم إلى أنه يجري الآن تنفيذ مشروع محطة المعالجة في المنطقة الوسطى الشمالية المطار-1 بطاقة استيعابية قدرها 250 ألف م3/ يوميا عبر معالجة ثلاثية، وذلك بقيمة 370 مليون ريال، تنفيذ مقاولة شركة عزيز، ومن المتوقع الانتهاء من تنفيذها في منتصف عام 2010 م.

وأوضح المسلّم أنه تمت ترسية مشروع محطة الرفع الشمالية بقيمة 901 مليون ريال، كما تم ترسية مشروع توليد الطاقة الكهربائية لمحطات المعالجة والرفع في المطار لتزويدها بالطاقة الكهربائية لتشغيل المحطات بقيمة 83 مليون ريال، وجار حاليا توقيع العقد وسيتم تسليم الموقع للمقاول في القريب العاجل.

كما قامت الشركة بتنفيذ مشروع شبكات صرف صحي رئيسية وفرعية وتوصيلات منزلية في المنطقة الوسطى بتكلفة تتجاوز مليار ريال ، وكذلك تنفيذ مشروع شبكات صرف صحي رئيسية في المنطقة الشمالية بتكلفة تتجاوز مليار ريال

Journal of Economic
Friday, 11.06.1430, corresponding to June 15, 2009 No. 5716

Jeddah: 10 billion riyals value of existing projects for water and sanitation
Economic Mohammed Hilali from Jeddah

Revealed the National Water Company on the draft list of water, upgrading and construction of sewer projects in Jeddah, worth in excess of ten billion riyals, while working on the implementation of the longest tunnels in the world different diameters and use a technique helium gas to detect leaks, invisible and used for the first time in the Middle East.

The Muslim Louay CEO of the national water company, said the company had withdrawn a number of projects stalled due to lack of contractors with the availability of liquidity, and weak implementation capacity of some contractors, and material price increases that caused the failure to complete on schedule, the move comes from the company mechanism to accelerate the implementation of projects stalled.

He acknowledged that the company is keen to progress to provide water services and sanitation in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, where they have sought to sign several agreements with the relevant authorities that would improve the level of services provided to customers.

The Chairman of the national water company during the field trip yesterday to the company's most important projects in the city of Jeddah, announced that work was underway in the tunnel, the main three thousand mm in diameter in the draft and sub-networks in the South Central Region in Jeddah, the value of one billion rials, in addition to other work being carried out in the contract lines Two major downtown and sewer lines to serve the sub-central region of old, adding that the project will end implemented during the next three years and spending a total length of 150 km and different diameters.

The chief executive of the National Water Company has been completed, the implementation of 780 km in length equivalent to 47 per cent of the branch lines in the North Central region's civil works contractor, and the remaining work being completed in the contract, stating that the contract value 988 million riyals, and it will completion of the project during the next three years.

He indicated that they obtained the formal approval of the airport management to implement the main sewer tunnel project, including a 4 diameter 3500 mm, and tunnel project to 4-mm diameter, 3000, and 3500 mm, the line of discharge of treated water to the sea within the 2000 mm diameter mesh to the airport could not be implemented in the Street Promenade and will be launched in the implementation of the wall to isolate the area of the airport and then begin the implementation of these projects and the value of these projects 685 million riyals.

He recognized that being the treatment plant project in the Central North Airport -1 with a capacity of 250 thousand m 3 / day by dealing with a trilogy, a value of 370 million riyals, the implementation of the contractor company Aziz, is expected to be completed in the mid-2010 .

The Muslim is that he was awarded the North lift station project worth 901 million riyals, has also been awarded the project to generate electricity for the treatment plants and lift at the airport to provide electrical power to run the stations $ 83 million, which is currently under way of signing the contract will be delivered to the site to the contractor in the near future.

The company has also implemented a project sewage main and subsidiary and household connections in the central region at a cost of more than one billion riyals, as well as the implementation of the project sewage main in the northern region at a cost of more than one billion riyals

أوامر المليك صريحة وبدأنا في تنفيذها

رفع صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير خالد الفيصل أمير منطقة مكة المكرمة باسمه وباسم أعضاء اللجنة الخماسية للتحقيق وتقصي الحقائق التي أمر بتشكيلها عقب الفاجعة التي حلت بجدة نتيجة الأمطار والسيول التي هطلت مؤخرا وجميع أهالي جدة وأهالي منطقة مكة المكرمة أسمى آيات الشكر والتقدير والامتنان لخادم الحرمين الشريفين على اهتمامه حفظه الله بمواطنيه في هذه الفاجعة ولمساته العظيمة التي كان لها اثر رائع في نفوس جميع ابنائه المواطنين في هذه المنطقة. وقال الأمير خالد عقب ترؤسه الاجتماع الأول للجنة بمكتبه في جدة إن أوامر سيدي خادم الحرمين الشريفين صريحة وواضحة، وقد تم البدء بها فعلياً وتم تنفيذها حتى قبل انعقاد أعمال هذه اللجنة حيث تم مواساة المتضررين وصرف الإعانات لهم وإسكانهم، وأضاف أن التعويض الذي أمر به سيدي خادم الحرمين الشريفين لأهالي وذوي المتوفين في هذه الكارثة الأليمة كان له أطيب الأثر في نفوس الجميع. وقال إن اللجنة التي أمر بها حفظه الله للتحقيق والتحقق بما حدث اجتمعت في هذا اليوم في أول اجتماعاتها وناقشت منهجية العمل والتحقيق والأهداف التي وردت بالفعل في الأمر الملكي الكريم ووضعت الإجراءات والترتيبات وشكلت اللجان وبدأنا فعلا في تنفيذ البرنامج. وأضاف سموه "سوف يكون هناك لقاء آخر صباح اليوم الأحد وستتلوه لقاءات أخرى للجنة وسوف تحرص اللجنة على انجاز المهمة بأسرع وقت، كما أمر خادم الحرمين الشريفين ونرجو أن يكون ذلك في أسرع وقت ممكن. وقد حضر كافة أعضاء اللجنة الاجتماع".

Lifting of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Emir of Mecca, his name and on behalf of the five members of the Committee for investigation and fact-finding, which is formed after the tragedy that befell the Jeddah result of rain and floods that recent rains and all the people of Jeddah and the people of Mecca deepest gratitude and appreciation and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for his interest God save its citizens in this tragedy and the great touch, which have had a wonderful influence on the hearts of all his sons citizens in this region. Prince Khaled said after chairing the first meeting of the Committee in his office in Jeddah that orders the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, frank and clear, was actually initiated and implemented even before the work of this Committee have been affected and console them rate subsidies, housing, and added that the compensation ordered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the people and the families of the deceased in the tragic disaster had a very positive impact in the hearts of everyone. The Committee was ordered by God to save to investigate and verify what happened on this day met at the first meeting and discussed the methodology and the investigation and the objectives that have already been received in the royal command and established procedures, arrangements and set up committees and we are already in the implementation of the program. He added "there will be another meeting for Sunday morning and will be followed by other meetings of the Committee and the Committee will ensure the job is done as soon as possible, as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and we hope that as soon as possible. Was attended by all members of the Committee meeting."

http://www.alriyadh.com/2009/12/06/article479276.html

well guys the rains this season was very much too in the western province and also Yemen

OK! What I'm about to write is purely my own opinion and based on my observations and consequent deductions.

The artificial watercourses running throughout Jeddah towards the Red Sea for StormWater drainage were backfilled. Statistics say (and I think actuality is of a lesser number) that only 20% of the proposed StormWater Drainage Network for Jeddah city has been constructed or in the progress of construction.

Now logically speaking, wouldn't you remove the old system AFTER you've completed the new one?!! I'm just saying... I wouldn't sell my car until I buy a new one.

Jeddah Municipality had put themselves in a really tight corner. And the excessive amount of rain isn't an excuse. Even our average rain would've done damages, not as much but surely not minor!

I just hope they take some really productive corrective actions, at the soonest!

One more word and I'm willing to take responsibility of this: CORRUPTION!!!

don't miss that :lol:
Lrop0LaZMVg

The sad things is, that's true. Our Jeddah Municipality officials care more about prestige and appearances than their actual responsibilities. And what's even sadder, is that we, residents of Jeddah, have reached a point of desperation that we say: "Steal & embezzle but please, if it's possible, get the job done"...

I mean, we're so desperate that we don't mind them stealing anymore! How sad & pathetic is that?!! :ohno: I just hope whoever's responsible (included in the investigation or not) burns in Hell, since being punished in this under the current system is out of the question.

I was thinking, and this may sound radical but, what if the mayors of the major cities were elected instead of being appointed? I'm not suggesting that they change the central government or the monarchy or the authority saudi royal family. I don't think there is a reason for that, at least not yet. I feel like these people, i.e. the mayor and people in the municipality are just too comfortable and secure in their jobs to worry too much about the problems regular people in the city face.

Can you imagine how anxious these people would have been if they knew they would have to convince people to elect them after they did such a poor job? How hard they would be working now to save their seats/positions? And how much material/support the people running against them would have? It would be awesome. Whichever mayor would be elected would scrutinize the people at the municipality just so he doesn't look bad and lose his seat. The overall system would be shaken up and people would have to get off their a..umm..butts to keep their jobs. They would work harder and know that their actions (or inaction) have consequences, something that is missing right now.

If I am not mistaken, Kuwait has some elected officials in their parliament. So It isn't something unheard in the area.

الأمير خالد الفيصل يتفقد الأحياء المتضررة من السيول : الجهود لازالت « جيدة جداً »

http://www.alriyadh.com/2009/12/31/article485639.html

جدة -صالح الرويس وياسر الجاروشة

وصف صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير خالد الفيصل أمير منطقة مكة المكرمة الجهود التي تبذل من قبل الجهات المختصة بمحافظة جدة عقب الكارثة التي تعرضت لها مدينة جدة نتيجة الأمطار والسيول بأنها جهود جيدة.

وقال سموه ل"الرياض" لقد كانت هذه الجهود لا بأس بها وأصبحت أكثر من جيد جيدا عقب التوجيهات الكريمة والواضحة التي أصدرها سيدي خادم الحرمين الشريفين لخدمة أهالي المنطقة.

جاء ذلك عقب الجولة التفقدية التي قام بها سموه أمس للأحياء المتضررة من جراء سيول وأمطار
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وقد رافق سموه في الجولة صاحب السمو الملكي الأمير مشعل بن ماجد بن عبد العزيز محافظ جدة والفريق سعد التويجري مدير عام الدفاع المدني ومعالي أمين مدينة جدة المهندس عادل محمد فقيه وعدد من المسؤولين في المنطقة.

وقد استمع سموه خلال الجولة إلى شروحات مفصلة من معالي أمين مدينة جدة حول المشاريع الاحترازية والوقتية التي وضعت لدرء المخاطر عن أهالي محافظة جدة، وقال سمو الأمير خالد الفيصل ما رأيناه اليوم من مشاريع هو عبارة عن مسكنات وحلول عاجلة لتفادي أخطار السيول في الأيام القريبة القادمة ولكن ما أؤكد عليه أن الحل الجذري لمشاكل جدة يكمل في جمع كافة الدراسات التي عملت وهذه الدارسات سوف نجمعها وسوف نخرج إن شاء الله من خلالها بحل جذري لمشكلة السيول بجدة ومشكلة شرق جدة التي تقع بطريق الحرمين علما بان هذه المنطقة لم تخضع كلها للدراسة وللمخططات المعتمدة معظمها عشوائية ومعظمها اعتداءات على الأراضي واحياء استخرج لها صكوك ، وأضاف سموه شرق منطقة جدة سوف تحتاج إلى اعادة دراسة وتقيم ووضع مخطط لها ومن ثم العمل على تنفيذ هذا المخطط بكل جدية.

وأكد أن الحل الجذري أن تعمل دراسة كاملة وشاملة لشرق جدة مرتبطة بالمخطط الرئيسي لمدينة جدة وتشمل تصريف السيول وتصريف مياه الأمطار والصرف الصحي وهذا المشروع يمضي على قدم وساق ولكن يجب الإسراع والإتقان في التنفيذ والمتابعة والإشراف الدقيق على الشركات المنفذة وإزالة المعوقات إذا وجدت. مشيراً إلى أن كل هذه الموضوعات محل اهتمام سيدي خادم الحرمين الشريفين وسمو ولي عهده الأمين والمشاريع المستقبلية لهذه المنطقة وما هو موجود سوف ترفع لسيدي خادم الحرمين الشريفين وسوف تصدر التوجيهات بها بعد ذلك.

وفيما يتعلق بلجنة تقصي الحقائق أوضح سموه لازلنا نجمع المعلومات ونستفسر من بعض الشخصيات سواء كانت في القطاع الحكومي أو الأهلي وهذه اللجنة ما زالت في أسبوعها الرابع فقط والعمل ما يزال أمامنا طويلاً وبالفعل تم التحفظ على بعض الشخصيات وهناك أشخاص اخرون يتم استدعاؤهم لاستكمال التحقيق وهناك شخصيات تم الإفراج عنها بالفعل.

وأضاف أن كل ما ورد في الأمر الملكي الكريم لأسباب حدوث هذه الكارثة التي تعرض لها أهالي مدينة جدة سوف نغطي جميع عناصرها في اللجنة.

وبين سموه أن كل الجهود بذلته لتفادي أي كارثة في جدة في حدود الامكانات الموجودة بمدينة جدة وهناك دراسة سوف تقدم لولي الأمر عن حاجة هذه المنطقة لتلافي هذه الأخطار في المستقبل واهتمام سيدي خادم الحرمين الشريفين ليس له حدود وربما انتم تأملتم المقدمة التي في الأمر الملكي لإنشاء لجنة تقصي الحقائق والتي نعتبرها دلالة واضحة على اهتمام رأس هذه الدولة باحتياجات المواطن وبتلافي هذه الأخطار المحيطة بالمواطن وعمل جميع ما يلزم حدوث الكوارث والأخطار التي تأثر على المواطن.

وأكد سموه بأننا على تواصل مع وزارة المالية لصرف المبالغ للمتوفين التي أمر بها خادم الحرمين الشريفين لصرفها في اقرب وقت ممكن وكذلك نتواصل مع وزارة المالية لا صرف الإعانات المختلفة للأهالي في أسرع وقت ممكن وسوف تم في الأيام القادمة.

وفي ختام حديثه أكد للصحفيين سوف نقدم لولي الأمر ما توصلت إليه لجنة تقصي الحقائق بكافة تفاصيلها وهو يتخذ القرار اللازم.

وخلال جولته الميدانية على الأحياء المتضررة استوقف سموه الكريم عددا من أهالي الاحياء المتضررة واستمع سموه منهم بكل صدر رحب حول مشاكلها والمعاناة التي يواجهونها وقد أكد لهم سموه الكريم بأنهم سوف يحظون برعاية كريمة من قبل خادم الحرمين الشريفين ، واضح لهم انه يهتم لأمرهم إلى أقصى الحدود .

وأشار سموه بأنه سوف يتم الأخذ بعين الاعتبار بإعادة هيكلة هذه الأحياء وتزويدها بكل ما تحتاج إليه من ضروريات الحياة وعمل الاحترازات اللازمة لعدم تكرار ماسات مدينة جدة وكيفية التعامل معها في المستقبل المنظور.

ومن ناحية أخرى أكد معالي أمين مدينة جدة المهندس عادل فقيه بأنه قد تم تجفيف البحيرة التي كانت خلف السد الاحترازي بالكامل وكان ارتفاعها 7 أمتار ووصلت حاليا إلى صفر مما أنقذ هذه المنطقة المحيطة بالسد لأنها لو تجاوزت المياه أكثر من 7 أمتار لانقلب هذا السد وجرفت المياه المناطق المحيطة به بل قد تصل إلى وسط مدينة جدة.

أما مشروع الأراضي الرطبة فقد حقق الهدف منه وانزل كمية المياه الموجودة في بحيرة الصرف الصحي من مستوى 10 أمتار ونصف إلى 8أمتار ونصف اقل من الحد الآمن للسد قبل هطول الأمطار وكان ذلك بري الغابة الشرقية والأراضي الرطبة.

one year passed for the flood tragedy, this day is black page in the kingdom history,RIP for all innocent people who died as a result of careless!

scenes

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The role of art in portraying Jeddah flood

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For many days after the initial floods, it was a dangerous exercise to drive through what seemed like puddles; often they concealed lethal potholes.

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Rescue dogs, who sniffed out and located the living and the dead, were an invaluable part of the rescue operation.

By DIANA AL-JASSEM | ARAB NEWS
Published: Nov 25, 2010 04:09 Updated: Nov 25, 2010 04:54

“Catastrophes always raise creativity.” This was the phrase that Saudi artists repeated almost a year after the Nov. 25 floods that ravaged east Jeddah.

People were shocked with the damage left by Jeddah floods. The catastrophe encouraged many government institutions to start gathering money and offering help for homeless families. Young Saudi men and women volunteered as nurses and cooks. Some families opened their homes to receive homeless families.

Despite the great effort presented by the Saudi people, Saudi artists were unable to perform their roles in complete freedom, according to Fatima Baazeem, a Saudi artist who visited the flood areas. She said she was disappointed that a big art expo to support the flood victims was stopped.

A large number of Saudi artists and photographers went to the flooded area immediately to help and assist in the rescue operations. The event was an opportunity to document the disaster in order to portray these photos at their exhibitions.

“Since the very beginning of the catastrophe I went with a large number of Saudi artists to the flood area. My plan was to help them. I took my camera to take photos of the damage, but I was afraid of the people’s reactions to my camera,” said Baazeem. “I took those photos of every single detail in the flooded areas and I participated in an art expo held by Civil Defense under the title ‘Catastrophes.’ This expo was the only expo that was held by a governmental institution and it was talking generally about catastrophes.”

According to Baazeem, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry was planning to hold a huge art expo for all Saudi artists.

“All Saudi artists were ready to participate, but suddenly we heard that the art exhibition had been canceled and that we would not be allowed to hold any other exhibition on the flood theme.”

Baazeem decried the absence of a governmental event to patronize the artists’ effort during the floods.

“All the exhibitions that occurred were the result of personal effort. Now we are not allowed to hold exhibitions on the flood theme,” said Baazeem.

Tahani Al-Braiki, a young Saudi artist who contributed her artwork to express her sadness over the disaster in her personal exhibition, said: “I produced several artworks on the Jeddah flood because the flood area is only ten minutes from my home. I presented several pictures carrying different names, such as ‘Grave,’ ‘Spring,’ ‘Devil,’ ‘Crowd,’ ‘Dead People Steps,’ ‘The End of the World 2012’ and ‘Stop.’ When I drew the artwork I felt myself forced to face the floods and fight them with my paintings.”

According to Al-Braiki, the Saudi artists contributed positively by holding several expos and competitions under the title “Jeddah Flood and Black Wednesday.”

Ahmad Hussein was another Saudi artist who believed that drawing the disaster and people suffering was his duty.

“Artists are always influenced with conditions and weather. These conditions are positive or negative. Most Saudi artists were influenced by ‘Black Wednesday.’ They want to express their emotions through their artwork,” said Hussein. “It was a necessity to draw the disaster from the artist’s point of view. I drew a picture called ‘An Error Occurred After the Rain.’ In this picture I tried to draw Jeddah’s sadness by drawing the damage that appeared after the flood. I also blamed those who caused the disaster in one of my pictures. All these efforts appeared through personal effort from the Saudi artists.”

Hussein and number of Saudi artists held an art expo under the title “Black Wednesday.”

One-hundred and thirty Saudi men and women participated in an art expo called “A Picture at Each Home” to display artwork inspired by the Jeddah floods.

“The expo discussed the role of art in underscoring the negative issues, spotlighting important issues and warning the people against certain problems that may occur in the future,” said Hussein.

Hussein said that Saudi artists participated positively to express Jeddah’s sadness.

Suzan Ba-Aqeel, a Saudi photographer who has participated in several international exhibitions, said she preferred to post her photos in the media rather than holding exhibitions.

“The best way to show the disaster and express our sadness is to portray the tragedy in order to depict the destruction and gray water and take pictures of the victims and their families,” said Ba-Aqeel. “I had already taken photos of the flooded areas a few hours after the disaster. I didn’t hold an expo to display the pictures, but I sent them to famous agencies to show them the reality. I received mail and calls from everywhere. All the people sympathized with our tragedy. Most foreign people were ready to offer help and donations for the victims. I wish we would continue in depicting pictures about the catastrophe. We should not stop holding expos and competitions on this theme. I portrayed the Jeddah floods because I believe that the photo are always stronger than the word or the voice.”

Source (http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article199849.ece)

Black Wednesday lives on in Jeddah

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FOUZIA KHAN

Young volunteers help last year’s flood victimsJEDDAH: It is one year later, but the effects of the devastating floods of Nov. 25, 2009 – known as Black Wednesday – can still be seen in many neighborhoods of the city.
There are still people volunteering to help citizens and residents living in the flood-affected areas. A group of young people, organizing themselves under the banner of the Young Initiatives Group (YIG), has been doing just that.
Maha Taher, the leader of the YIG, told Saudi Gazette that their group is not only focusing on the cleaning campaign in Jeddah but also helping people who were affected last winter by the floods.
“We take care of people who can’t pay their electricity and hospital bills. We have also helped to fix the houses which were destroyed in last year’s flood. There are still many people who need household appliances and air conditioners. So our group is helping to provide these items. Some of our members have even provided tuition for children of flood-affected families.”
Taher said there is a need to create a bridge of communication between people living in the south and north of Jeddah. “People from the north of Jeddah should visit south Jeddah and see that people over there are still starving, they are dying, they don’t have roofs over their heads and need financial, emotional and medical support.” She said YIG wants to help all over, but at the moment the focus is on the south of Jeddah.
Shada Al-Ahmaday, a medical student who is helping YIG, remembers the camaraderie of the volunteers last year.
“I got all the details off Facebook, where to go and what to do. It was very organized and it felt like you were working with your family and friends,” she said and added the volunteers worked on the basis of Islamic values. “To tell you the truth, we didn’t expect that much cooperation and voluntary work and support from every corner of Jeddah. We will continue our work to support the people in the flood-affected areas and others who need our help,” she further said.
Shadi Mahfooz, another volunteer, also started out working during last year’s floods. “It changed my life. I realized that there are many people out there who need help.” She said they packed food boxes and whenever they finished 100 boxes, a shout would go up from everyone. “We thanked Allah that we had not suffered and were in good health so that we could help others,” she said. She said she would continue to help in the areas that were the hardest hit by floods last year.
Reema Ahmed, another volunteer, also helped out during the floods last year. She has been working as a volunteer since 2006. “I love to help others and think it’s an excellent way to spend your time doing something good for others. I would like to become a full-time volunteer,” she said.
She said that after the floods last year, it was sad when the volunteers parted. “You felt like you were leaving your brothers and sisters and didn’t know if you were ever going to see them again. Those were the great moments and it was an excellent experience, which I will always remember,” she said.
She also promised that she would continue to help needy people and plans to join other charities.
– Saudi Gazette __

Source (http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2010112587952)

The shoes: a poignant reminder

By ROGER HARRISON | ARAB NEWS
Published: Nov 25, 2010 02:55 Updated: Nov 25, 2010 04:33

“It was a dark and stormy night and the rain fell in torrents except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.”

Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton would have allowed himself a wry smile in Jeddah on the Nov. 25, 2009, a night that mirrored the first line of his 1830 novel “Paul Clifford” and which has become the symbol of all that is trite and melodramatic in novel writing.

Nothing trite or melodramatic revealed itself in Jeddah on Nov. 26 as the glaucous morning light oozed through the pouring rain and low sodden gray clouds hung over Jeddah. As the gloom lightened, the full extent of what was to prove a major human catastrophe sharpened as the dawn drew back the concealing blanket of a Haj night.

The 11 wadis (valleys) that feed into the Jeddah water basin had been inundated with a cloudburst that deposited between three and five years rain overnight, according to varying estimates. The numbers were academic, the devastation all too real.

Eight a.m. on Thursday Nov. 26, the rains stopped as suddenly as they had begun and there was an eerie and stunned silence smothering the city. It lasted a full hour but then curiosity overcame residents and they emerged onto the streets to find much of their city underwater and a significant portion wiped out.

The southern end of Madinah Road as it neared King Fahd Road resembled a slipway as the gradual downward slope disappeared under water. Water a full meter deep in places, filling car parks and side streets, while brown liquid lapped the walls of private houses, and the serious effect of the storm gradually became clearer.

The new underpasses on King Fahd Road were brimming with opaque brown fluid a full six meters deep. Trees had been felled, uprooted by streaming water that tore at their loose grip on the sandy soil.

In the side streets of the Al-Hamra districts, low fountains of water erupted from the roads. The filthy brown ones were raw sewage forced from underground tanks and the clear sparkling ones fed by freshwater tanks filling with denser murk.

Further east on the Haramain Expressway, entire sections of road had been swept away as the wall of water roared westward from the eastern suburbs toward the coast. As it entered the urban areas, houses collapsed, thousands of cars were picked up like toys and carried westward, smashing into each other and any structure in their path.

As the water levels dropped, the vehicles were deposited. Some were still occupied. Others lay on top of bodies half buried by the mud they lay in. A bus tipped into a gulley, having been smashed off the highway. The scattered paraphernalia of family life lay strewn in the oozing mud. A doll here, a telephone there, entire houses and cars gutted by the weight and rush of water. And shoes everywhere; single, lonely very empty shoes.

Gradually the population emerged to face the reality of the disaster. A frantic European consultant engineer summoned to empty the underpass of water, where it was rumored that an entire bus with passengers lay submerged, stabbed desperately at an unresponsive mobile phone.

“I told them the pumps they installed couldn’t cope with this when it happened,” he cried. “It was just a matter of time. Now look!” He rushed off to supervise temporary mobile pumps.

Young Saudis and many expatriates gathered to stand and stare, helpless but fascinated by the effects of nature. Many had a camera or mobile phone to record the scene.

Heavy trucks forged through the deeper sections of passable roads pushing a bow wave before them. Flanking them, like signets after a swan, came echelons of four-wheel drive cars and saloons.

Over the ensuing hours, reports of the casualties trickled in. Officially, only 122 or so people died and more than 350 were “missing.” Few, very few indeed, believe those numbers. A journey through the devastation, eyewitness accounts and the thousands of destroyed vehicles testify to a much greater number. In a one-kilometer stretch of the Haramain Expressway, I counted over 700 cars smashed to scrap. The floods affected hundreds, perhaps thousands of kilometers, of Jeddah’s roads.

A young Saudi who admitted he was lucky to be alive described a “tsunami that leapt across the road in front of me and pushed me into the wall of a bridge. It held me there as it passed.” He was fortunate. He described cars immediately in front and behind him rolling into the torrent and disappearing down the wadi at the side of the road.

Mobile crane companies were one source of news. Forty-eight hours after the flood, one company said it alone had removed double the official total of 3,000 cars.

One year on, the visible scars are few. Roads resurfaced, the central reservation of the highway replaced and white with new concrete, roadside ditches emptied and deepened. It is almost as if it never happened, only almost.

A quiet walk through some of the less fashionable suburbs or in the undergrowth of what was a small lake just a year ago, which has now returned to being a simple depression, reveals a poignant, decaying intimation of mortality and lives lost and families destroyed.

The shoes.

Source (http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article199840.ece)

إحالة 20 متهما في كارثة الأربعاء إلى محاكم جدة والرياض


عدنان الشبراوي ـ جدة، فهد الذيابي ـ الرياض

كشفت لـ «عكاظ» مصادر مطلعة أمس، انتهاء التحقيق في كارثة سيول جدة من جانب الأجهزة الرقابية بتوجيه الاتهمام لـ 20 موظفا حكوميا ومقاولا من المتورطين في أسباب الكارثة، إذ جرى إحالة ملفاتهم للقضاء، استعدادا للبدء في جلسات المحاكمة والمنتظر انعقادها لدى ديوان المظالم في كل من الرياض وجدة.

وأكدت المصادر أن المادة الأولى من قواعد المرافعات أمام ديوان المظالم أجازت لرئيس الديوان إحالة الدعوى ونقلها إلى أي من فروعها في المملكة بحسب المصلحة التي يقدرها الرئيس.

وأشارت المصادر إلى أن التهم توزعت بين الرشوة، التزوير، التكسب من الوظيفة العامة، سوء استخدام السلطة، استغلال النفوذ الوظيفي، التربح من الوظيفة العامة، الاستجابة إلى رجاء أو توصية، الغش والتستر، وخيانة الأمانة.

وأوضحت المصادر أن الـ 20 متهما تمت إحالتهم إلى القضاء بلوائح اتهام، مع تفنيد التهم الموجهة لكل شخص متورط في ملف خاص ومستقل، فيما سيحدد خلال الأسابيع المقبلة موعد بدء جلسات المحاكمة.

وقالت المصادر «إن هؤلاء المتهمين ضبطوا أثناء التحقيق في كارثة سيول جدة، إذ تمت إدانة البعض منهم بشأن تعثر وسوء تنفيذ المشاريع، ومنهم من نسبت إليه مخالفات نظامية ظهرت دون أن يكون لهم دور مباشر في الكارثة».

ولفتت المصادر إلى أن التحقيقات ما زالت جارية مع بقية المتهمين، إذ يتوقع إحالة دفعة جديدة منهم إلى القضاء عقب استكمال لوائح الادعاء العام ضدهم، في حين سمح للمتهمين الاستعانة بمحامين للدفاع عنهم، والرد على لوائح الاتهام المتوقع تسليمها للمتهمين مع انعقاد أولى جلسات المحاكمة.

في حين خلص محققون اختصاصيون في القانون الجنائي لإدانة سبعة موظفين تعود مرجعيتهم لوزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية، إذ عقد مسؤولون في هيئة الرقابة والتحقيق اجتماعا مع مسؤولين في وزارة البلديات قبل رفع أوراق الدعاوى للقضاء الإداري.

وعلمت «عكاظ» إن هؤلاء المتهمين ليسوا من قياديي البلديات، إذ جرى السماح لهم الاستعانة بمحامين أثناء المرافعات للدفاع عنهم كافة لوائح الاتهام والتي أتت أضرارها باستشهاد نحو 123 مواطنا ومقيما، إضافة إلى إتلاف أكثر من 5800 سيارة، وتعطيل ما يقارب 6488 عقارا.

Source (http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20101125/Con20101125384650.htm)

أسماء المتوفين الذين تم تسليم جثامينهم
المتوفون السعوديون
عفاف عبدالرحمن السبعان
شايع علي العتيبي
رهف علي العتيبي
فوزاء صنيتان العتيبي
فهد محمد السناني
عويض عوض الله النفيعي
هاني بروك المحمد
وائل عويض الجعيد
ريم يحيى حسين
يحيى حسين
سناء أبو الغيث أحمد
ضحى يحيى حسين
علي سعيد الحوطي
عتيق عبدالله الحربي
فواز عمر السلمي
قاسم عائض القرني
سعيد محمد الغامدي
بيان محمد الغامدي
محمد سعيد الغامدي
جود محمد الغامدي
أحمد بخيت الجهني
لافي مسفر الأحمري
عبيدالله عايش المحمادي
أحمد علي الغامدي
مشاري صالح المالكي
سعيد عطية المالكي
عريفة أحمد الجدعاني
علياء عليان الجهني
رهف منور الجهني
ريناد منور الجهني
ليالي محمد القايدي
هديل محمد القايدي
أمل محمد القايدي
إسراء محمد حامد
عائضة داخل السلمي
مشاعل داخل السلمي
المثنى عبدالله السلمي
زهور ضيف الله السلمي
فاني عبدالله السلمي
سجايا عبدالله السلمي
رمضان يحيى محيسن
خليل عتيق عبدالله الحربي
خالد رشيد السهلي
علي فطين العتيبي
عبدالله يحيى قيراط
علي محمد المالكي
يسرى أحمد الغامدي
عبدالرحمن أحمد الغامدي
ساعد هريش المالكي

المتوفون غير السعوديين
محمد إبراهيم ـ تشادي
منير إبراهيم موسى ـ تشادي
ميمونة عبدالرحمن ـ تشادية
حواء خاني ـ تشادية
عائشة آدم إسحاق ـ نيجيرية
حسين محمد آدم ـ تشادي
عبدالله هشام ـ يمني
حبيب الرحمن محمد ـ بنجلاديشي
سعيد عبدالله بازياد ـ يمني
زينب أحسن عباس ـ أمريكية
محمد إدريس جبريل ـ تشادي
محمد شوكت ـ باكستاني
سعيد محسن علي ـ يمني
مساعد ضيف الله ـ يمني
حسني غلام فريد ـ باكستاني
أحمد نبيل ـ هندي
طارق علي مقبول ـ يمني
أحمد إدريس محمد ـ إثيوبي
شهاب كرينتي بوركال ـ هندي
عزة شكري عامر ـ مصرية
ست الناس أحمد محمد ـ مصرية
نادين عادل محمد ـ يمنية
حسام محمود أحمد ـ يمني
وعد محمود أحمد ـ يمنية
كاتبة أحمد أحمد ـ يمنية
محمد إسماعيل الخطيب ـ أردني
طيبة فتح بخش ـ برماوية
إسماعيل ـ برماوي
أسامة ـ برماوي
ياسمين ـ برماوية
مروة ـ برماوية
مروان ـ برماوي
ياسين ـ برماوي
محمد درويش يوسف ـ يمني
أحمد عبدالله أحمد عبدالله ـ مصري

The deluge in Jeddah

xYAjyQvnMUI&feature=relatedBy MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 25, 2010 02:16 Updated: Nov 25, 2010 04:33

On Nov. 25, 2009, residents of Jeddah woke up to witness a flood disaster that most of them had never seen and others had not witnessed in over three decades. Torrential rain that showered for over six hours resulted in devastating flash floods that submerged most parts of East Jeddah. The flood disaster claimed the lives of at least 123 people and destroyed thousands of homes and vehicles. More than 15,000 families were left homeless, and the losses were estimated at billions of riyals.

The disaster happened when the world’s attention were turned to the holy city of Makkah where more than two million pilgrims were heading for the nearby tent city of Mina for Arafat Day, the first day of Haj.

The heavy rains that fell on the eastern mountainous regions located between Jeddah and Makkah became torrential flash floods that rushed toward the Red Sea. The passages of the flash floods were obstructed due to illegal constructions on natural flood routes and thus changing the direction of floodwaters toward residential areas, turning several streets into raging rivers and causing devastation of districts located east of the Haramain Expressway.

The torrential rain and flash floods turned out to be a catastrophe for the residents of many undeveloped districts in the eastern districts of the city, most notably Al-Harazat, Quwaiza, Sawaed, Kilo 14, Old Makkah Road, Kilo 6 and Jamia. Thousands of vehicles were swept away. Bridges were destroyed. Thousands of houses were ruined or completely washed away. Six hours of incessant rain caused massive devastation.

The flood panic intensified with rumors about the possible burst of a dam at the Water Sanitation Lake, locally known as Musk Lake. The water level of the massive earth dam that holds the lake had risen to the dangerous mark. Civil Defense authorities warned residents in the area to evacuate their homes. The warning sparked panic and flight of residents elsewhere in eastern areas of the city.

In a decree issued a couple of days after the floods, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah noted that the disaster was not a result of extraordinary or out-of-control hurricanes or floods as we know them.

“It was the result of a rainstorm that cannot be described as disastrous. It is painful that many countries, some with even less potential than the Kingdom, experience similar rainfall almost every day, but there are no devastation of the magnitude we witnessed in Jeddah, and that saddens us,” he said.

King Abdullah ordered an immediate payment of SR1 million to the families for each person who died in the flood. He also directed authorities to provide housing facilities and allowances for those affected by the flood. The government announced compensation for all those affected by the disaster, including those left homeless or those lost their homes or vehicles.

The most significant feature of the royal decree was the formation of the high-level investigation committee headed by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. The king ordered an investigation into the flooding in order to establish the causes and to try to determine who was responsible. The committee, comprised of representatives of the concerned ministries and departments, was tasked to conduct a thorough probe into all the aspects of the issue.

The panel was asked to study the extent of the damage due to the calamity, the cause of the damages and to provide recommendations to avert future floods. The monarch authorized the investigation committee to summon officials for questioning, if necessary, and to form sub-committees to help in the process. The royal decree was issued five days after the calamity that struck the city. The king declared that those found responsible would be punished firmly.

After commencing its probe, the committee detained several senior municipal and government officials, prominent businessmen and contractors for their suspected negligence and corruption relating to drainage and sewage projects, illegal land deals and construction licensing.

The investigating committee also examined all projects implemented in Jeddah over the past six decades for financial and administrative irregularities and corruption. Another committee appraised the losses caused by the flood before establishing the levels of compensation. More than 10,000 families stranded by the flood were given shelter by the government.

As an aftermath of the flood disaster, the residents of eastern Jeddah heaved a sigh of relief when they got rid of the sewage lake forever. As per the directive of King Abdullah, the lake has been emptied in record time. A massive development plan is under way to renovate and refurbish the eastern districts in the near future.

It is also worthy to note that a series of workshops and seminars were held in the months succeeding the disaster. A formal map of the valleys and flood passages in the region was unveiled. The authorities have also stopped issuing licenses to construct buildings at 76 areas in east Jeddah.

Four months after the floods taking place, the investigation committee completed its probe and Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, chairman of the committee, presented a report of its findings to King Abdullah in early March. After going through the report, the king issued a decree on May 9.

“We do not fear blame of anyone as our faith, the country, and citizens are most precious to us,” he said.

King Abdullah ordered the cases of all those accused of complicity in the floods to be sent to the watchdog for government employees and the national prosecution body.

“All the accused in this case are to be referred to the Control and Investigation Board and the Prosecution and Investigation Commission according to the nature of the crime they have been accused of. This should happen after the urgent completion of procedures during criminal investigations,” the king said.

The decree also urged that others mentioned in the report, including those not directly involved in the disaster, be investigated quickly.

The king also instructed the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs to extend three floodwater drainage canals to wadis in the east and extend the eastern flood canal to Obhur. Authorities were ordered to remove all obstacles in the floodwater canals immediately, while the governorate of Makkah and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs were asked to remove earthen embankments surrounding the land in paths of flood plains and wadis.

Regarding those accused of complicity in the flood, their files have been referred to the Control and Investigation Board and the Prosecution and Investigation Commission. These bodies have completed reviewing the files of all those accused, and the cases of those with substantial evidence for their involvement have been moved to Jeddah Public Court to start trial procedures.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/floods_anniversary/article199838.ece

Flood’s flotsam: Corrupt practices

hAcSBNnrPhg&feature=related
By MUHAMMAD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 25, 2010 02:25 Updated: Nov 25, 2010 04:34

The tragic floods led to many corruption cases. Abdullah Al-Mutairi, Saudi citizen affected by the flood, said there are many unfinished projects in many areas that were approved five years ago. Some of these projects were canceled. He said that there are a lot of suspicious activities by people working in some government departments to lay claim to lands.

“Some people working at municipalities in a short period of time turned into wealthy businessmen,” he said. “Where did that money come from and how would a small-time employee turn into a rich man in such a short period of time?”

Fahd Al-Ghanmi, a resident of Rabigh, said the large numbers of people arrested is a result of Jeddah floods. The supervision authority was active more than before. Part of the reason is that they fear that they might be held responsible if they do not expose corruption cases.

He added: “We heard how the head of Rabigh municipality was investigated for acquiring a piece of land with a fake land document, land that already belongs to the government. Another case of bribery involved a number of municipal officials with a number of businessmen to illegally acquire a piece of land. The case was investigated and the people involved arrested. Other cases of corruption came to surface in Madinah and Jeddah, which shows that the police and supervision authorities are active now more than ever.”

Naser Al-Johani, Yanbu resident, said there are a lot of pieces of lands that were all of a sudden turned into private properties. These properties are in the areas of development projects. Al-Johani said that corruption isn’t isolated to Jeddah. The Jeddah floods came and highlighted the corruption issues and exposed these people.

Khaled Al-Sulami, Yanbu resident, said the Jeddah floods came in time to expose suspicious activities and projects. There are projects that exist on paper only.

“There are drainage projects with no underground pipes. Even lampposts are said to be new when in reality they are old and repainted. There are many projects that, if people evaluated their quality, do not represent what is described on paper,” said Al-Sulami.

Abed Al-Harbi sees the outcome of Jeddah floods as positive. He said that the special committee formed to investigate the floods specified a special phone number to report corruption cases. There were rewards given to the people reporting corruptions if their claims proved to be true.

He said: “Those who want to steal public money will not expose themselves. They will work in the dark and in silence with people in power and that makes it difficult to discover such cases. The only time it is exposed is if these thieves get into disagreements. Then one of them exposes the whole operation.”

All people are urging the government to support the administrative police and supervision authority.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/floods_anniversary/article199848.ece

Its raining in Jeddah ,,
any news Jeddah Brothers

http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/12/30/article590088.html

مطار الملك عبدالعزيز يوقف ويحول عددا من الرحلات الدولية والمحلية ساعتان من الأمطار على جدة تعيد ذكرى الكارثة وتشل الحركة المرورية

البترجي راحت في خبر كان

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/216921517.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1293708421&Signature=xJLkMMSd4qWGJxYo6iu7thfnobE%3D

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/216920183.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1293708489&Signature=5x%2Fwx1a%2BKGNE9cXoUOI5fe1UGG4%3D

Cant see the images Gulf Arabia !!

http://www.aleqt.com/a/484664_141053.jpg

http://www.aleqt.com/a/484664_141051.jpg

http://www.aleqt.com/a/small/b4/b4e7d5834dc1ca9cd14a6fc7ad7f5d2e_w424_h200.jpg

http://www.aleqt.com/a/484664_141038.jpg

http://images.alarabiya.net/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B7%D9%84_%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA_9352_2198.jpg

http://images.alarabiya.net/%D8%B4%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B9_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%8C_%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1_9354_2847.jpg

بعض الصور في الجرائد لوضع الشوارع في جدة

__________________

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/217063419.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=0ZRYP5X5F6FSMBCCSE82&Expires=1293737447&Signature=oQEWcJ19PHH97nF%2BxPp4OHYv1L8%3D

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/full/217063419.jpg

^^

this is shows how bad the infra stucture is in our country,,,:ohno:

^^^That would happen in every other country too...
I must admid that the top layer of that road is not really thick....
But it's not like your roads need to resist freezing temperatures and constant moisture like where I live.

not the whole country, some cities, i know khobar (my city) has the best infrastructure in the country :p

http://twitpic.com/show/large/3l9jo6

PRICELESS !!!!! LOL

http://twitpic.com/show/large/3l8fmk

http://twitpic.com/show/large/3l76zx
http://twitpic.com/show/large/3l71ro

^^^That would happen in every other country too...
I must admid that the top layer of that road is not really thick....
But it's not like your roads need to resist freezing temperatures and constant moisture like where I live.

A rain event alone shouldn't be causing situations like this. Usually when you hear of flooding, it's because a river or a lake overflowed. Not just rain accumulating on road surfaces with inadequate drainage.

Especially in major areas of a city. That picture of Roshan Mall... that's a major road in Jeddah. A person can excuse small neighborhood roads.

^^ Ok that's true.
But I live a country that gets an average of 1000mm/m2 rain a year. And when a heavy thunderstorm comes roads in urban areas still flood and mudfloods come down from the fields in rural area's.
To much rain is just to much. How big draining system may be.

PRICELESS !!!!! LOL

http://twitpic.com/show/large/3l8fmk

hahahahahahah

^^ can someone tell me what the board says?

Does this happen every single year? I don't remember hearing about it before 2009..

^^ can someone tell me what the board says?

It's a diapers ad that roughly translates to "Our diapers, the thinnest, the most absorbing"

Does this happen every single year? I don't remember hearing about it before 2009..

yes it happens almost ever 2-3 years,and there usually one or two victim, but 2009 was waaay too big impact that result hundred of death.

^^ :ohno: :ohno:
People should protest if this is the case li2anno mafi shai nefe3 m3 halmas2oulin.
May God be with Jeddah. :(

عواصف ماطرة على عدة مناطق والارصاد تتوقع انحسارها اليوم

السيول تحاصر أهالي جدة .. وتُغرق ثلاثة أطفال أشقاء في مكة

http://s.alriyadh.com/2010/12/31/img/135862089995.jpg
سيارة حاصرتها السيول في جدة ما أرغم صاحبها على اعتلائها بانتظار رجال الدفاع المدني

جدة - مكة، فريق المتابعة

شهدت مختلف مناطق المملكة أمس هطول أمطار غزيرة مصحوبة بعواصف رعدية. وأدت السيول الناجمة عن الأمطار في مكة المكرمة الى غرق ثلاثة أطفال أشقاء وفقدان والدهم .كما أرغمت الأمطار التي هطلت على جدة لليوم الثاني الأهالي على البقاء في الأدوار العليا لمنازلهم بعد أن غمرت المياه الأدوار السفلية وخاصة في أحياء شرق الخط السريع وتم فصل التيار الكهربائي عن المنازل. واستخدم الدفاع المدني القوارب المطاطية والطيران العمودي للوصول إلى المحتجزين.وتم إيقاف حركة الطيران في جدة والمدينة وتحويل عدد من الرحلات الى مطارات أخرى. وكشفت الأمطار مجدداً مدى تواضع خدمات البنية التحتية في جدة. فبعد عام مضى على فاجعة السيول، لم يتحرك ساكن ولم يتغير شيء عن سابق عهده.

وهطلت فجر أمس أمطار على المدينة المنورة ومحافظاتها وامتلأ للمرة الأولى منذ سنوات سد وادي الفرع ، واضطرت فرق الدفاع المدني الى إغلاق طريق ينبع – أملج لغزارة الأمطار كما أنقذ الطيران العامودي عالقين في أودية أبو ضباع والفرع. كما هطلت أمطار على تبوك والجوف وحائل ومحافظة العلا وتحولت الجبال الى شلالات.

واتخذت جميع الادارات الحكومية احتياطات عاجلة في ظل التحذيرات المتكررة من الرئاسة العامة للارصاد وحماية البيئة. وتوقعت الرئاسة أن تنحسر العواصف بمشيئة الله صباح اليوم (الجمعة).

http://s.alriyadh.com/2010/12/31/img/748543415735.jpg
عمليات الانقاذ للمحتجزين

http://s.alriyadh.com/2010/12/31/img/545757087643.jpg
الطيران العامودي يشارك في عمليات الإنقاذ. (عدسة : محسن سالم)

Source (http://www.alriyadh.com/2010/12/31/article590444.html)

It's a good thing they don't waste money on a proper drainage system in Jeddah. It would be such a waste of money. It's not like it ever rains in Jeddah or there are floods. Can we all pitch in and give the people running the city some medals for their dedication and hard work please?

u will get 1 million for every family member killed anyway, why do u need a drainage system :)

sarcasm

The main problem here from my perspective of view is that government trying to involve in every single thing in the country, I think they should take their hand off and only focus on certain fields such as


Army.
Security+ Emergency services.ex, police,ambulance, fire brigade...etc.
Build a free houses for saudi families.
Open the investment for outsiders with allowing them to own the properties (excluding Alharamain should only be for Muslims)
Collecting the taxes from Investors (and non Saudi residents) and give it as a part of the individual salary.


Urban development should only be a responsibility for private sector, of course they must do taxes for income, small percentages wouldn't hurt the budget lool ex, 1/2 riyals for passing the bridge or 3% tax of the sanitation bill.

if we follow this processes Iam pretty sure Kingdom's cities will be transformed to the best of the best for government (less tasks to focus),Business (more opportunities to invest on) and residents (have an excellent facilities in short period).

^^

this is shows how bad the infra stucture is in our country,,,:ohno:


Thank god they know this truth

http://www.alriyadh.com/2011/01/01/article590737.html

كشفت الأمطار الغزيرة التي هطلت على مكة المكرمة يوم الخميس هشاشة المشاريع وتواضع البنية التحتية في العاصمة المقدسة، وذلك بسقوط الطبقات الاسفلتية وفشل مشاريع الصرف الصحي بالاضافة الى رصد العديد من المواقع تعرضت للتشققات بطرق ومواقع مختلفة من شارع الحج.
في أقل من ساعة.. تشققات وانهيارات والمياه تغرق الأنفاق
وأوضح الناطق الإعلامي ومدير التحقيقات بادارة الدفاع المدني بالعاصمة المقدسة المقدم على المنتشري بان غرفة العمليات تلقت عددا من البلاغات وصلت الى حوالي ألف وخمسمائة بلاغ، كما قامت العمليات بارسال الرسائل التحذيرية لمعظم سكان العاصمة المقدسة ولازالت فرق الانقاذ متمركزة في مواقعها وعلى الفور تم تطبيق خطة الأمطار، حيث تمركزت 80 فرقة متنوعة الاختصاص بالاماكن المحدده لها بمدينة مكة المكرمة ومركز بحره بقيادة وإشراف مدير الادارة الجميل محمد عمر اربعين. ونجم عن هطول الامطار جريان السيول بالاودية وارتفاع لمنسوب المياه في مواقع مختلفة الأمر الذي أدى الى ازدحام مروري وتعطل عدد من المركبات تصل الى حوالي 100 مركبة واحتجاز اصحابها بداخلها وقد تم التعامل معهم واخراجهم وهم بصحة جيدة.
وطالب عدد كبيرمن أهالي العاصمة المقدسة المسؤولين بالمنطقة بالتدخل السريع وحل مشكلة انهيارات وتشققات الطرق التي سقط فيها العديد من السيارات ولولا عناية لكان ذهب اصحابها ضحاياء للمتلاعبين في المشاريع كما طالبوا بمحاسبة المقصرين والمتلاعبين .

http://www.alriyadh.com/net/article/598482

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

It just keeps happening again and again and again.

Jeddah needs serious infrastructure reconstruction, massive drainage systems, not to mention an expansion to the flood water paths around the city + build dams everywhere !

Ya Allah! Flood again! :(

JEDDAH FLOOD: Photo gallery : http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article243502.ece

This time is way worst than ever,the scenes is like a war! see this website
http://jeddahrain.wordpress.com/

نقلا عن موقع " إماراتي ميترولوجي بورتال" الإماراتي للأرصاد الجوية: رغم أنه يمكن إلقاء اللوم علي سببين لما حدث في جدة:
1- البنية التحتية في جدة
2-الموقع الجغرافي.
فإن سقوط أمطار بمقدار 141 مليمترا خلال ثلاث ساعات وسبعة عشر دقيقة -بغض النظر عن الأمطار التي هطلت في الايام السابقة-أمر شديد الوطأة، وفوق المعتاد بكثير، مقارنة بمتوسط سقوط المطر في الجزيرة العربية والذى يبلغ 50 مليمتر سنويا، في المعتاد
ومقارنة بمعدل الامطار السنوي في محافظة جدة والبالغ 67.5 مليمتر سنويا.

"AED Mitrologi Portal" UAE Meteorological:
Although it can be blamed on two causes of what happened in Jeddah:
1 - the infrastructure in Jeddah
2 - geographical location.
The rainfall by 141 mm in three hours and seventeen minutes - that's regardless of the rains in previous days - is severe, and much above normal, compared with the usual average rainfall in the Arabian Peninsula, which is 50 millimeters per year,
And compared to an average annual rainfall in the Jeddah province of 67.5 mm per year.

^^could you rody confirm if this happened as a result of the heavy rain yesterday? I myself have a doubts this is just a deliberate job!
We lost a 300 old building:ohno:
k7N07aehoAs

This is terrible. Beyond words. I've been feelig distressed over this for the entire day and I kept praying for Jeddah and its people as it's the only thing I can do.
But that does NOT apply for the people of Jeddah, residents should take to the steets. If these retarded officials have not a single bit of fear for God then they should at least fear for their thrones. Bastards.

Yeh..That's Terrible!! ...poor ppl!!

Arab News editor-in-chief gets firsthand look at flooded areas

By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS

Published: Jan 27, 2011 03:00 Updated: Jan 27, 2011 03:00

Bombarded by reports and pictures Wednesday's deluge in Jeddah, Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena decided to go out into the streets and have a firsthand look. Accompanied by her daughter Sarah, he visited flooded areas in the city at past midnight.

What he saw was beyond his imagination. "It looks like a war zone," the editor in chief said as he came back to the Arab News office in Al-Rowdah District before dawn.

He recounted seeing a large number of people in the night searching for their loved ones. "There were hundreds of abandoned cars on both sides of roads," he said.

He said the road in front of Turki Mosque was "like a river," and that Hail Street was still heavily flooded at 1:30 am on Thursday, he said.

"There were at least 300 abandoned cars on the street. I saw many people taking shelter along buildings at Mosadiah Center," he said. "I also saw a woman stranded." He said he also saw many people sleeping inside their cars along the flooded streets.

What was heart-warming to see, he said, was that many volunteers were providing assistance to people in need. "Volunteers were giving direction to drivers, telling them which inundated areas they should avoid," he said.

He said police have closed one side of the Madinah Road because of flooding and the other side was being used by vehicles coming from or going to Balad side. There were hundreds of abandoned cars on Madinah Road, especially in front of Maghrabi Eye Hospital, he said.

Almaeena said there was no access to Palestine Street on Wednesday night as he tried to enter the road from Andalus Street, Hail Street and Musaidiya. Palestine Street is one of the main pathways of floods heading from the east to west.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article243789.ece
Palestine street, Sahafa road

qB_R3CJsqFo

:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:Its never be more worse

لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

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.. and that is, ladies and gentelmen, our second-largest city. A complete fiasco.

نقلا عن موقع " إماراتي ميترولوجي بورتال" الإماراتي للأرصاد الجوية: رغم أنه يمكن إلقاء اللوم علي سببين لما حدث في جدة:
1- البنية التحتية في جدة
2-الموقع الجغرافي.
فإن سقوط أمطار بمقدار 141 مليمترا خلال ثلاث ساعات وسبعة عشر دقيقة -بغض النظر عن الأمطار التي هطلت في الايام السابقة-أمر شديد الوطأة، وفوق المعتاد بكثير، مقارنة بمتوسط سقوط المطر في الجزيرة العربية والذى يبلغ 50 مليمتر سنويا، في المعتاد
ومقارنة بمعدل الامطار السنوي في محافظة جدة والبالغ 67.5 مليمتر سنويا.

"AED Mitrologi Portal" UAE Meteorological:
Although it can be blamed on two causes of what happened in Jeddah:
1 - the infrastructure in Jeddah
2 - geographical location.
The rainfall by 141 mm in three hours and seventeen minutes - that's regardless of the rains in previous days - is severe, and much above normal, compared with the usual average rainfall in the Arabian Peninsula, which is 50 millimeters per year,
And compared to an average annual rainfall in the Jeddah province of 67.5 mm per year.

okay this is allot, but this is no way a justification for what happened

Ridiculous ,,Ridiculous,,,Ridiculous

.. and that is, ladies and gentelmen, our second-largest city. A complete fiasco.

all towns and cities in the kingdom are the same,but dahran is exceptional!

This is crazy :ohno:
1Hsa26VHSo8
follow the hash tag #JeddahRain on twitter for more news

STC (the largest telecom company in saudi) is offering 2 days of free calls for its costumers in Jeddah


In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
In support of our dear customers in Jeddah, and recognizing how it is essential and important for them to stay connected with their loved ones, all voice calls from all JAWAL customers (postpaid & SAWA) in Jeddah and its vicinity made to any number within the STC Network (JAWAL postpaid, SAWA, & HATIF landlines) for FREE. Starting 12:00 AM Thursday 27 January 2011 and ending by the end of this coming Friday.

May Allah protect and save you all.

Sincerely,

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs020.snc6/167033_497927205635_140588550635_6648296_3561786_n.jpg


http://www.facebook.com/notes/stc-hyat-ashl/supporting-jeddah-important-announcement/10150108551442281

This is terrible. Beyond words. I've been feelig distressed over this for the entire day and I kept praying for Jeddah and its people as it's the only thing I can do.
But that does NOT apply for the people of Jeddah, residents should take to the steets. If these retarded officials have not a single bit of fear for God then they should at least fear for their thrones. Bastards.

Fly over to Jeddah and lead the way, and I'll join you. We'll march all the way to Buraiman (prison) :lol:

Dude this is Saudi. It's not very tolerant of protest.

okay this is allot, but this is no way a justification for what happened
You are correct. Some localised flooding is understandable, but not this widespread carnage.

Sad event again...:no:

Very sad...:(

Four confirmed deaths from Jeddah flooding

Published: Jan 27, 2011 15:15 Updated: Jan 27, 2011 15:15

JEDDAH: Civil Defense confirmed the death of four people in Wednesday’s flash floods that swept across the residential neighborhoods in Jeddah on Thursday.

However Civil Defense did not supply more details of the deaths or about the number of the injured in flood-related accidents. Civil Defense airlifted hundreds of people in an estimated 1,500 operations. Rescue helicopters also airlifted students and staff marooned at Dar Al-Hekma College at around 1 a.m.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah urged the authorities on Wednesday to take immediate action to tackle problems caused by the heavy rains, warning that those who show negligence would be severely punished. s.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said rapid steps were being taken to drain the flood water at the orders of King Abdullah.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article244126.ece

Naif calls for emergency meeting to tackle Jeddah floods

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article239114.ece/REPRESENTATIONS/large_620x350/sau_flood.jpg
By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS

Published: Jan 27, 2011 01:47 Updated: Jan 27, 2011 01:47

JEDDAH: Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif has called for an emergency meeting of relevant ministers on Sunday to discuss quick measures to stop recurrent floods in Jeddah.

"The meeting will discuss all aspects of flooding in the Makkah province and how to deal with similar situations in other provinces," the Saudi Press Agency quoted Prince Naif as saying.

He said the meeting was called on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah who wanted a complete study on Jeddah's rainwater drainage system. "We'll see what we can do immediately to correct the situation," he said.

He said the meeting would propose solutions for the present problems and present a report to the king.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah has instructed all government hospitals in Jeddah to provide the best health care to the flood victims. A mobile medical team has been sent to flood-affected areas in the city to provide health services.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article243764.ece

King orders urgent action to mitigate floods, warns against negligence

http://174.121.237.17/~gprophet/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/reuters-jeddah-floods-saudi-arabia.jpg
By ARAB NEWS

Published: Jan 27, 2011 17:46 Updated: Jan 27, 2011 17:47

JEDDAH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah urged the authorities on Wednesday to take immediate action to tackle problems caused by the heavy rains, warning that those who show negligence would be severely punished.

A statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said the king has instructed the finance minister to allocate necessary funds for this.

“Those who show negligence in implementing this order will face severe punishment,” the king said. “As a result of heavy rains causing dangerous damage to people and installations and Jeddah facing the danger of drowning in many areas, all necessary action should be taken immediately without delay,” he said.

The king, who is now convalescing in the Moroccan city of Casablanca following back surgery, said such measures should be taken immediately in light of weather reports that there will be more rains in coming days.

“All related departments should work day and night to end the problem and those who show negligence in dealing with this important matter will be severely punished,” King Abdullah said, while urging top officials to update him with developments relating to floods in Jeddah and its surrounding areas.

The royal decree was addressed to Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation; Prince Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior; Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal; Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Mansour bin Miteb; Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf; Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry; Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen; and Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah.

As of Wednesday evening, there were reports of three teenagers who suffered electric shocks, a broken dam and hundreds of stranded students in different parts of the city.

Eyewitnesses told Arab News that East Jeddah was swamped and floodwater was rushing west toward the Red Sea, turning streets once more into rivers. Witnesses said the Um Al-Khair dam had been breached, flooding nearby neighborhoods.

Jeddawis said Wednesday’s downpour was the heaviest in 17 years. “Jeddah has not witnessed such heavy rains in recent years, causing floods and trapping people in rainwater,” one Saudi said.

The city was in total mess and mayhem. Traffic came to a standstill and long lines of people walking home, abandoning their vehicles in water, could be seen. But walking in some places was dangerous because of potholes and exposed electric wires. Some had to walk up to six hours to reach home.

Residents rose up to the occasion by helping people in trouble. Some were seen carrying schoolchildren and elderly to safety. Many people took refuge in Al-Andalus Mall in the Old Airport area where they recharged their cell phones to contact families.

Water in the Al-Hamra district was waist-deep in some places and some schools were preventing students from leaving. The heavy downpour did not begin until after students went to class where they are currently taking end-of-semester exams.

Unconfirmed reports said three girl students suffered electric shocks at KAU. It was not immediately clear if any of the girls died. Many KAU students and staff, especially women, had to stay up late in the evening at the university because of the floods.

Dr. Sami Badawood, director of health in Jeddah, said Civil Defense helicopters transported eight injured people to hospital, as ambulances could not move because of flooded roads. He said all government hospitals have been instructed to stay alert to meet any eventualities.

Some witnesses also reported helping Civil Defense officials who themselves had become marooned in rising waters in some parts of the city.

Palestine Street, Madinah Road, Wali Al-Ahad Street and the entire Bani Malik district were either flooded or jammed with traffic. Cars could be seen swept away by fast flowing rainwater in some areas. Five historical buildings in the Balad district also collapsed as a result of the rains. The buildings were empty and uninhabited.

Three hundred students at Dar Al-Hekma were held up inside the college until 5 p.m. At Effat College the situation remained the same. The Civil Defense advised students not to leave the premises, and college authorities were making efforts to ensure the safety of students and staff members.

Thirty Al-Falah DPS school students and eight teachers were held up in the school, unable to return home in the Sharafiyyah district of the city due to traffic jammed roads and flooded streets. “We have arranged accommodation for them. They had come to school to attend Indian Republic Day functions,” said Zia Nadvi, the school’s director.

Nearly 100 employees of the Ministry of Information and the Islamic Development Bank were trapped inside their buildings. The Palestine Street and Hail Street were the worst affected and people called them Palestine River and Hail River.

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment predicted rains accompanied by strong winds in coming hours. “We expect heavy downpours in the northeastern parts of Jeddah, north of Makkah and Hijrah Road,” it said.

Air traffic at King Abdulaziz International Airport was unaffected. “The air traffic control and operation systems at the airport are well-prepared to deal with such situations,” said Khaled Al-Khaibary, spokesman for the General Authority of Civil Aviation.

He said the landing and takeoff of flights were taking place at the airport normally despite the rains. “Usually, pilots will be instructed to keep their planes floating in the air if there are lots of water on runaways. But today the water level on runways was at an acceptable level for landing and taking off. Visibility was also OK.”


Power outages, fires

Power outages were reported across the city and fires due to short-circuiting, including one at the popular Hera Mall. Civil Defense teams managed to put out the mall fire, which did not cause casualties.

In one neighborhood, flash floods swept away a car, which then got stuck into a large open flood drain, causing water levels in the district to further rise.

Among the major thoroughfares that came under heavy flooding was Madinah Road, which runs through the middle of the city from north to south leading to King Abdul Aziz International Airport. A massive traffic jam could be seen until the afternoon as rains continued.

Officials at the Jeddah Traffic Department said vehicle movement on the Haramain Expressway came to a standstill as a result of huge flooding close to Palestine Street. There were also reports of traffic disruption along King Abdul Aziz Road because of flooding. To avoid traffic jams, motorists used minor roads in residential districts.

Citizens reported a total absence of traffic police in streets and motorists were running red lights and driving in the wrong direction, over pavements and medians. People also reported accidents on roads, adding that the situation was a total chaos.

The situation in districts the east of the city, which were struck by deadly flash floods in 2009, was uncertain. There were reports that many Saudis and expatriates were trapped in flood waters in the area.

Residents of the Um Al-Khair and Al-Ajwad 1 and 2 districts reported heavy flooding. Seeing dark clouds and fearing heavy rain, many residents of the city's Quwaizah district, which took the brunt of Nov. 25, 2009 flash floods, left their homes to live with friends and relatives in other parts of the city.

Mansour Al-Mazrouie, head of the meteorology department at King Abdulaziz University, said the rains in Jeddah were caused by climate change. The average amount of rainfall during the winter months (November to January) is about 51mm.

On Jan. 15, Al-Mazrouei said Jeddah received 41.7mm of rainfall in four hours.

There were rains on Wednesday in other parts of the Kingdom, including in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Qassim, Hail and Madinah. According to one report, one person died and five others were injured in accidents caused by rain in the Eastern Province. Traffic police said as many as 53 traffic accidents happened in the province as a result of heavy rains. The Civil Defense attended to at least eight cases of electric short circuits.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article244202.ece

احيـــــن جد يا جماعة سالفة التبرع ياخي شيء ما يدخل المخ شلمهزلة وين الحكومة

ولد خالتي يشتغل في الخطوط في الاندلس اتوقع
المهم امس خرج من الدوام بدري الساعة 1 و ما وصل البيت الا الساعة 2 و نص
يقول دخلو مستشفى الناس نايمة في الاسياب و الفنادق زحمة ما في غرف
يعني شي خيالي
و طبعن ولا شي طلع من دا
بس اللي قاهرني انو الاعلام ما يقول الارقام الحقيقية مو معقولة 4 قتلى و 3 مفقودين
السنة اللي فاتت المطر اخف و ماتو 133 و المفقودين 40
مدري يلعبو على اطفال و لا على مين
و لا الدفاع المدني الوضع مطمئن
سعد التويجري المفروض يستقيل من منصبو قبل ما يطردوه احسلو
في برنامج شاهد على قناة دليل اليوم الساعة 9 و نص اول مره اعرف بدي القناة امس
و صار في نقاش جامد
ترا يقولو الثلاثاء الجاي مطر
الله يعينكم ياهل جدة

Mesch... don't try to deny it, I know it was you ;)
j/k :lol:

Activists call rare protest in flooded Saudi city

27 Jan 2011

Source: reuters // Reuters

* Calls for protest sent on Blackberry messenger

* At least four dead in Saudi floods, hundreds rescued

By Asma Alsharif

JEDDAH, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Activists in Jeddah called on Thursday for a protest against poor infrastructure after deadly floods swamped Saudi Arabia's second biggest city, a rare expression of dissent in the absolute monarchy.

A mass message via BlackBerry Messenger on Thursday urged Jeddah residents to join a demonstration on Saturday in an unusual move in the Gulf Arab state, at a time of spreading anti-government unrest across the Arab world.
...
http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/activists-call-rare-protest-in-flooded-saudi-city

The media is saying there are only 4 deaths and my father in law, works at King ***
****** Hospital, told me there is no space in the mortuary. He told me there are
children among death and a newborn baby which was born out of the hospital during the
flood. Who are they kidding with?!

الله يرحمهم ويعينهم
كل ماقلنا لكم الوضع متأزم تقولون أنت متشأم للأسف إلا واقعي

أغنى بلد نفطى فى العالم وماتتوفر فية بنية تحتية؟
سمعنا فى الأخبار أن لسا فى أمطار راح تزل فما نقول الى الله يخفف عنكم باأهل جدة

Flood-hit Jeddah still in shock

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5394731449_89ebdab615_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mohammed_al-shafaq/5394731449/)
Jeddah 26 Jan, 2011 (27) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mohammed_al-shafaq/5394731449/) par Mohammed A. Al-Joufi (http://www.flickr.com/people/mohammed_al-shafaq/), sur Flickr

Published: Jan 28, 2011 01:20 Updated: Jan 28, 2011 02:40

JEDDAH: Jeddah residents heaved a sigh of relief Thursday as nature showed mercy toward them with clear skies, allowing Civil Defense officers and hundreds of volunteers to confront the aftermath of Wednesday's tropical deluge that swamped most of the city - some parts worse than others.

The official death toll stood at five, though no other details were available on deaths or injuries.

Dozens of residents were still searching for their missing friends and relatives more than 24 hours after the rains stopped.

The city was in total chaos after the heaviest downpour in 17 years as described by some local residents. Traffic came to a standstill and long lines of people walked home, abandoning their vehicles in water.

Palestine Street, Madinah Road, Wali Al-Ahad Street and the entire Bani Malik district were either flooded or jammed with traffic. Cars could be seen swept away by fast flowing rainwater in some areas. Five historical buildings in the Balad district also collapsed as a result of the rains.

Helicopters hovered over the areas most affected by the rainwater runoff on Thursday, lifting people off rooftops in approximately 1,500 operations. Amphibious teams were dispatched in dinghies. At least 951 stranded people were rescued by the afternoon. Four hundred and sixty-six of them were airlifted off rooftops. Helicopters also rescued girls and staff marooned in the Dar Al-Hekma College at around 1 a.m. Thursday morning.

Civil Defense staff were provided additional support by colleagues from Makkah and Taif in addition to divers of the Saudi Emergency Force from the provinces of Riyadh and Asir. "These support forces are specially trained to deal with conditions related to running and stagnant waters," said Civil Defense Director-General Lt. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijri.

Electricity went out for 669,638 subscribers, most of whom still did not have power Thursday evening.

Brig. Muhammad Al-Shuaibani, director of water-borne rescue operations, said many people were trapped as a result of the failure of a section of a 70-meter berm in Um Al-Khair in east Jeddah that was erected to protect residents from flash floods. About four meters of the berm collapsed from the surge.

The Meteorology Department of King Abdulaziz University registered 114mm of rainfall in four hours on Wednesday morning. In the Nov. 25, 2009 floods, approximately 90mm of rain fell in about three hours. Earlier this month, 45mm rain fell in a few hours. The average rainfall in Jeddah for the winter months (November to February) is about 51mm.

Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif said late Wednesday an emergency meeting of ministers concerned would be held at his office on Sunday to discuss measures to tackle recurrent floods in Jeddah. "The meeting will discuss all aspects of flooding in the Makkah province and how to deal with similar situations in other provinces," the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Prince Naif as saying.

He said the meeting was called on the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah who wanted a complete study on Jeddah's rainwater drainage system.

"We'll see what we can do immediately to correct the situation," he said.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who inspected the flood-hit areas on Thursday, said a lack of rainwater drainage system was the main reason for massive flooding in the city.

"The rainwater drainage system covers only 10 percent of Jeddah," he said in a statement carried by SPA.

In a statement, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah instructed all government hospitals in Jeddah to provide the best health care to the flood victims. A mobile medical team has been sent to the flood-affected areas.

A few problems were reported at King Abdulaziz International Airport. One Air India flight to Calicut and Kochi in the south Indian state of Kerala could not take off Wednesday as the airline's pilot and crew were unable to reach the airport in time, said Pravin Mistry, manager of Air India for Western Saudi Arabia. He said many passengers of that flight could not reach the airport, either.

"Only 45 passengers reported and we have provided them with hotel accommodation." The flight was re-scheduled to take off Thursday night.

Studies at Saudi primary schools would be suspended for two weeks because of rains. The schools will reopen Feb. 12, an Education Ministry statement said. However, classes at intermediate and secondary schools would be canceled only for Saturday.

The ministry said examinations scheduled for Jan. 29 would be conducted in the beginning of the second semester, which starts Feb. 12.

The International Indian School in Jeddah announced separately that there would be no classes on Saturday, and the CBSE Plus 2 practical exam has been postponed. "This is due to the damage caused by Wednesday's downpour to our infrastructure and buses that need additional maintenance," a school spokesman said.

About 65 Indian students, some below the age of five, were held up Wednesday at Buds & Blossoms International School as the school surroundings were completely inundated. Principal Srikala Venugopal thanked the children and their parents for their understanding and cooperation at times of crisis. "Many families in the neighborhood also came offering help."

Venugopal Menon, manager of the school, was all praise for the Civil Defense officers for their timely assistance. "Three officers came to the school when they learned from the guard that there are students held up inside because of floods. They helped teachers to shift the children to the third floor of the building. We'll never forget their help," Menon told Arab News. He said the school had provided students food and accommodation.

Search and rescue operations continued into Thursday evening.

Civil Defense chief Al-Tuwaijri said 18 government departments have been mobilized to cope with different sections of the city.

"The rescue forces were allocated to each section in order to avoid likely traffic snags blocking the speedy arrival of rescue teams to accident sites," said Al-Tuwaijri.

He also said that special committees have been formed to work through the logistics of providing housing and other aid to those most affected by the floods.

Police with the help of military have been struggling to connect roads between the south and north, which were virtually cut off. Most exit and entry points of the Palestine Street were submerged. Many people had to divert to Balubaid Street, Al-Arbaeen and Al-Sahafah streets.

The operation room of the Municipal Council was able to help people caught in the floods. Deputy Chairman of the council Hasan Al-Zahrani said the volume of the flood water was beyond the preparations of the council.

The officials of the Charity Warehouse have called on people to volunteer their time or donate food and other items for the displaced. People in flooded districts also need potable water. Relief centers for collecting donated items have been set up in the following locations:

• Behind the Umm Al-Salam branch municipal office south of the Gholail district behind the Al-Khatem square close to Abuzaid restaurant;

• In the Iskan building close to the King Fahd Mosque in Sharafiyah district;

• Near Al-Rida Mosque behind Souq Al-Yamamah in Al-Saheefa disrict; and

• Behind Ansar Hospital in Al-Nuzha district.

Unlike the Nov. 25, 2009 floods, which took place during the Haj season, other parts of the western region were relatively unaffected. Makkah received medium to light rain. The rain was stronger in Mahd, Al-Mowaihiya, Abyar Al-Mashi, Al-Yutma and Al-Hanakiya.

There were rains on Wednesday in other parts of the Kingdom, including in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Qassim, Hail and Madinah. According to one report, one person died and five others were injured in accidents caused by rain in the Eastern Province. Traffic police said as many as 53 traffic accidents happened in the province as a result of heavy rains. The Civil Defense attended to at least eight cases of electric short circuits.

“The meeting will discuss all aspects of flooding in the Makkah province and how to deal with similar situations in other provinces,” the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted Prince Naif as saying.

He said the meeting was called on the directive of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah who wanted a complete study on Jeddah’s rainwater drainage system.

“We’ll see what we can do immediately to correct the situation,” he said.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who inspected the flood-hit areas on Thursday, said a lack of rainwater drainage system was the main reason for massive flooding in the city.

“The rainwater drainage system covers only 10 percent of Jeddah,” he said in a statement carried by SPA.

In a statement, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah instructed all government hospitals in Jeddah to provide the best health care to the flood victims. A mobile medical team has been sent to the flood-affected areas.

A few problems were reported at King Abdulaziz International Airport. One Air India flight to Kozhikode and Kochi in the south Indian state of Kerala could not take off Wednesday as the airline’s pilot and crew were unable to reach the airport in time, said Pravin Mistry, manager of Air India for Western Saudi Arabia. He said many passengers of that flight could not reach the airport either.

“Only 45 passengers reported and we have provided them with hotel accommodation.” The flight was rescheduled to take off Thursday night.

Studies at Saudi primary schools would be suspended for two weeks because of rains. The schools will reopen Feb. 12, an Education Ministry statement said. However, classes at intermediate and secondary schools would be canceled only for Saturday.

The ministry said examinations scheduled for Jan. 29 would be conducted in the beginning of the second semester, which starts Feb. 12.

The International Indian School in Jeddah announced separately that there would be no classes on Saturday, and the CBSE Plus 2 practical exam has been postponed. “This is due to the damage caused by Wednesday’s downpour to our infrastructure and buses that need additional maintenance,” a school spokesman said.

About 65 Indian students, some below the age of five, were held up Wednesday at Buds & Blossoms International School as the school surroundings were completely inundated. Principal Srikala Venugopal thanked the children and their parents for their understanding and cooperation at times of crisis. “Many families in the neighborhood also came offering help.”

Venugopal Menon, manager of the school, was all praise for the Civil Defense officers for their timely assistance.

“Three officers came to the school when they learned from the guard that there are students held up inside because of floods. They helped teachers to shift the children to the third floor of the building. We’ll never forget their help,” Menon told Arab News. He said the school had provided students food and accommodation.

Search and rescue operations continued into Thursday evening.

Civil Defense chief Al-Tuwaijri said 18 government departments have been mobilized to cope with different sections of the city.

“The rescue forces were allocated to each section in order to avoid likely traffic snags blocking the speedy arrival of rescue teams to accident sites,” said Al-Tuwaijri.

He also said that special committees have been formed to work through the logistics of providing housing and other aid to those most affected by the floods.

Police with the help of military have been struggling to connect roads between the south and north, which were virtually cut off. Most exit and entry points of the Palestine Street were submerged. Many people had to divert to Balubaid Street, Arbaeen and Sahafah streets.

The operation room of the Municipal Council was able to help people caught in the floods. Deputy Chairman of the council Hasan Al-Zahrani said the volume of the flood water was beyond the preparations of the council.

The officials of the Charity Warehouse have called on people to volunteer their time or donate food and other items for the displaced. People in flooded districts also need potable water. Relief centers for collecting donated items have been set up in the following locations:

• Behind the Um Al-Salam branch municipal office south of the Gholail district behind the Al-Khatem square close to Abuzaid restaurant;

• In the Iskan building close to the King Fahd Mosque in Sharafiyah district;

• Near Al-Rida Mosque behind Souq Al-Yamamah in Al-Saheefa district;

• Behind Ansar Hospital in Al-Nuzha district.

Unlike the Nov. 25, 2009 floods, which took place during the Haj season, other parts of the western region were relatively unaffected. Makkah received medium to light rain. The rain was stronger in Mahd, Al-Mowaihiya, Abyar Al-Mashi, Al-Yutma and Al-Hanakiya.

There were rains on Wednesday in other parts of the Kingdom, including in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Qassim, Hail and Madinah. According to one report, one person died and five others were injured in accidents caused by rain in the Eastern Province. Traffic police said as many as 53 traffic accidents happened in the province as a result of heavy rains. The Civil Defense attended to at least eight cases of electric short circuits.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article244527.ece

"We'll see what we can do immediately to correct the situation," he said.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who inspected the flood-hit areas on Thursday, said a lack of rainwater drainage system was the main reason for massive flooding in the city.

"The rainwater drainage system covers only 10 percent of Jeddah," he said in a statement carried by SPA.

Only 10%!!!...how they can correct this situation before next heavy rain???

Because of the climate changes, they said it will have a lot of heavy rain....

Dozens detained in Saudi Arabia over flood protests


January 28, 2011

Saudi authorities detained dozens of demonstrators on Friday in Jeddah who gathered to protest against poor infrastructure after deadly floods swept through Saudi Arabia's second biggest city, police and witnesses said.

Some Jeddah streets remained submerged on Friday, and electricity was still out in low-lying parts of the city two days after torrential rains caused flooding that killed at least four people and swept away cars.

The protest came after mass messages sent over BlackBerry smartphones called for popular action in response to the flood, an unusual move in the Gulf Arab state at a time of spreading anti-government unrest across the Arab world.

Protesters gathered for about 15 minutes after Friday prayers on a main Jeddah shopping street and shouted 'God is Greatest' before authorities broke up the protest and detained participants, a witness who works in a nearby shop told Reuters.

One police officer said around 30 protesters were detained and police were pursuing others who fled to a nearby building. Another officer put the number held at around 50.

"They took them all. They were protesting. There were about 30 people. There are still some people hiding in that building over there. The police are looking for them and trying to arrest them," a police officer at a station near the protest said.

About 12 police cars surrounded the building where protesters were hiding, and 30 more blocked off the street near where the protest happened.

A mass message sent via BlackBerry Messenger on Thursday urged Jeddah residents to join a demonstration on Saturday over the floods, while another urged all government and private sector employees to hold a general strike next week. But Friday's protest had been unexpected.

"No work for the full week until they find a solution to the roads of Jeddah," the message said. It was not known who sent the messages.

The call for action in the top oil exporter, where public protest is not tolerated, comes as open defiance of authoritarian rulers spreads, with protests in Egypt and Yemen inspired by unrest which toppled Tunisia's president this month.

The government has said it will give all assistance to victims of floods. On Wednesday, King Abdullah, who is resting in Morocco after back operations in New York, ordered rescue operations to be stepped up, warning officials not to delay his orders, state media said.

The last time the port city was flooded, in 2009, 120 people were killed, triggering rare debate about management of public funds and infrastructure defects in one of the world's richest countries and an investigation into the problems.

Jeddah residents said the floods were four metres deep in some places in the Red Sea port of four million inhabitants, and some reported being stranded for hours when waters rose.

http://www.kyivpost.com/news/world/detail/95863/

^^
معقولة أحتجاجات فى السعودية؟ والله وسوها الرجال

والله او سوهاا لووول

2011 سنة الاحتجاجاات

بس برضو احس انه احسن شيء لين متى الشعب ساكت

Didn't know I was that influential. :shifty:
~ ALL BOW TO ME !! :D

okay this is allot, but this is no way a justification for what happened

Actually, if these numbers are true then it would explain everything. Jeddah has been the way it is for decades now but these floods only started a year ago. It seems there's been a shift in climate patterns the past couple of years. They just need to get to work and upgrade the city's infrastructure.

With regards to the mosquito population spreading, the Amanah yesterday was fumigating different areas in the city. It's not healthy for people, but that's what they're doing to fight it.

Also,

Sens Ngo السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
عـــــــااجل جـــــدا
الرجاء من جميع الشباب مد يد العون و المساعدة لاخواننا المتضررين
سيتم عمل (( حملة تنظيف في منطقة غليــل )) يوم غدا السبــت الموافق 25\2\1432 ان شاء الله...
المطلوب :
مئـــة متطوع من الشباب

من الساعة 9 صباحا
منطقة التجمع : عند عمدة غليل

للتواصل ثامر باشماخ :
0506237643

Alsalam Alaykom,
URGENT
it's a call for the all male volunteers to help bringing life back to our affected citizens
Location: Ghulail
Starting 9 am on this Saturday (TODAY)
we will meet Omdat Ghulail
Call Thamir for direction or checking on the numbers as we need 100 volunteer there
0506237643

---------

For those interested. Is Ghulail in the south?

womfalcs,

Yes. Close to the old town.
You can also go to the Harithy exhibition centre. It's the base for relief efforts.

Scientist warns of extreme weather in coming months

''Jeddah is expected to get another wave of heavy rains in the next three days'' :ohno:

By GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN | ARAB NEWS

Published: Jan 29, 2011 23:01 Updated: Jan 30, 2011 00:12

RIYADH: A Saudi scientist has predicted extreme weather conditions in the Kingdom this year as a result of global climatic changes.

Mansour Al-Mazrouei, head of the Department of Meteorology at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), said people living in this region must prepare for the worst scenario, such as torrential rains, excessive heat or severe dry winds.

“The prediction of such extreme weather events, using the global and regional high resolution models, is still a challenging task for the scientific community, especially the heavy rainfall that has a direct impact on society,” he said.

He pointed out that the current atmospheric analysis indicates that there could be more heavy rainfall next week in the Eastern Province, Qatar and Bahrain. He said Jeddah is expected to get another wave of heavy rains in the next three days.

Al-Mazrouei said heavy rains in Jeddah last week might be linked to global climate change. “The extreme rainfall event that occurred in Jeddah was an environmental disaster that caused a lot of problems for the people,” he said. “The people of Jeddah were greatly relieved after Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah responded very fast to the disaster and gave immediate instructions to all government agencies to do the needful.”

Although there is no sufficient scientific evidence about the impacts of climate change on Saudi Arabia, the recent rains (90 millimeters in November 2009 and 111 mm in January 2011), however, indicate that there will be some consequences of climate change over Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, due to its geographical location, is not directly affected by climate change occurrences, “but, of course, there is some indirect impact,” Al-Mazrouei warned.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article245940.ece

:ohno: allah y3een ahl Jeddah.

Is there no water/sewage system in Jedda? This keeps happening every year, and with global climate change this is only getting worse.

Is there no water/sewage system in Jedda? This keeps happening every year, and with global climate change this is only getting worse.

+1
we don't have any kind of Infrastructure in Jeddah

مظاهرات في جدة للمطالبة بمحاسبة المسؤولين
dIXBhehjnlE

Its about time there are protests !

why saying allh akber!!?this's not war!

why saying allh akber!!?this's not war!

تعرف احنا في السعودية كل شي الله اكبر
امكن ما لقيو شي يقولوه :lol:
حتى انا استغربت
يعني منتا عارف على ايش بيتظاهرو
بس الاغلب عشان يوصلو صوتهم للحكومة لمعاقبة المقصرين

LOL. Allahu Akbar!!

at least they are speaking up :)

Yes, Allahu Akbar!!

^^
eventually they will say the right thing :))

I hope that too. But I'm scared they most probably won't.

بعد كوارث الأمطار المتكررة على مدينة جدة تقرر نظام البناء الجديد التالي :ohno:

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/6692/17985915099786161995310.jpg (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/17985915099786161995310.jpg/)

بعد كوارث الأمطار المتكررة على مدينة جدة تقرر نظام البناء الجديد التالي :ohno:

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/6692/17985915099786161995310.jpg (http://img638.imageshack.us/i/17985915099786161995310.jpg/)

:lol: جاتني مهندس محشش
عشان تعرف الاحياء عندنا تخطيط اي كلام

مظاهرات في جدة للمطالبة بمحاسبة المسؤولين
dIXBhehjnlEI posted this video on a french muslim forum and a french muslim from France in Jeddah reconnaize someone ...and told me that he's going to give him a room at his home. He thanks me ...so barakallahoufik bro!

On Arab News...
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article249104.ece/BINARY/large/0202saucartoon.jpg

FeFkLmFRUjw&feature=related

A nice read by Maram Makkawi:

حتى قطرات المطر يمكن أن تفتت الحجر (http://meccawy.com/site/?p=1416)

ثلاث مقالات كتبتها في جريدة الوطن عن كارثة جدة العام الماضي عناوينها: (مدن الملح) و (جدة يا وهج الشمس) و (هل نحن حقاً ضد الفساد؟)، كما كتبت تدوينة نشرتها في مدونتي قبل أسابيع بعنوان (سفاري جدة)، فماذا يمكن أن أضيف هنا؟

هل أكتب عن تجربتي الشخصية التي عايشتها على أرض الحدث هذه المرة وعن تجارب الآخرين حولي؟ أأكتب عن والدي الذي أمضى ليلته في المستشفى؟ ليس لأنه كان مريضاً – لا قدر الله – بل لأنه واحدٌ من مئات الآلآف من الأطباء والمعلمين والموظفين وأرباب الأسر الذين توجهوا صباحاً لمقرات عملهم فعلقوا فيها لأكثر من أربع وعشرين ساعة في بعض الأحيان. هل أتحدث عن أخي الشاب الذي كان في مقر عمله ففوجيء ومن معه بالمياه تجتاح المكان وتجبرهم على الفرار؟ هل أحكي بالتفصيل عن مغامرة العودة إلى المنزل والتي ابتدأت في الساعة الحادية صباحاً وانتهت في التاسعة مساء وتخللها القلق والحيرة خاصة بعد أن انقطع اتصالنا به؟ أم أنشر هنا صورة له لدى وصوله المنزل والتي تشبه شخصاً عاد لتوه من الجبهة أو مناجم الفحم؟ هل أحكي عن صديقتي التي حُرمت من طفلها – ابن الخامسة – لثلاثة أيام متواصلة؟ أم عن مصائب الصديقات العالقات والجيران؟

هل أردد القصص المزعجة عن عجز أكثر من جهاز حكومي عن التعامل مع الأحداث كما يجب وترك الناس يواجهون مصيرهم “بالبركة”؟ أم عن فشل وبلادة وسائل الإعلام السعودية وخاصة التلفزيون الرسمي الذي كان منشغلاً -حقيقة لا مبالغة-إما بالزراعة في “فيفا” أو بسباق الخيل؟ هل أتحدث عن الشائعات التي سادت حول عمليات الإنقاذ “بالواسطة” التي تمت في بعض المؤسسات التعليمية النسائية؟ أم أسلط الضوء على مكابرة الأجهزة المعنية لفترة طويلة عن تأكيد وجود ضحايا رغم ما قاله شهود العيان؟ مهما كتبت هنا فسيكون كلاماً مكرراً كتبته أنا أو كتبه غيري..فلا جديد “وسط المطر” حينما يتعلق الأمر بالقصص المأساوية أو تقصير الأجهزة الحكومية، أو حتى المطالبة بالمحاسبة والسؤال عن آخر أخبار – طيبة الذكر- لجنة التحقيق في كارثة سيول جدة، أو الجهود الإغاثية والتطوعية الشعبية..فهل من جديد يبرر هذا المقال إذن؟

الجواب هو نعم..فالجديد هو موقف الناس في جدة مما حصل، في العام الماضي كان الحزن والرعب سيدا الموقف، وبعد أن هدأت الأمطار والعواصف كانت هناك حملة فتية تطالب بتقديم المسوولين للمحاسبة، وتلقت أمانة جدة آنذاك النصيب الأكبر من اللوم والتقريع. اليوم الصورة تتغير تدريجياً، بالطبع لا تزال الناس خائفة وحزينة ولكن يبدو بأن الغضب هو الحالة الأكثر تعبيراً لوصف مشاعر سكان المدينة المنكوبة..الغضب من استمرار ما يعتبرونه مهزلة عاماً بعد آخر دون أن يُقدم شخصٌ واحد للعدالة، وإحساس بالخذلان من الجهات المعنية التي أثبتت التجارب بأنهم دائماً دون مستوى الحدث بغض النظر عن المبررات..فما حدث ما كان يجب أن يحدث..وإياك أن تستفز أحدهم بتحميلك السماء مسؤولية الكارثة..فالمطر نعمة من خالق الأرض والسماء..لكن الفاسدين والمفسدين هم من سرقوا فرحتهم الفطرية به وحولوه إلى قنبلة إنشطارية تدمر الأخضر واليابس.

أو إذا أردت أن تستفزهم أكثر فاكتب مقالاً تلوم فيه المواطن ” الفاسد” على سكنه في العشوائيات وطالب الحكومة بأن تصادر أرضه دون تعويض، ولدي ثلاثة أسئلة هنا لأصحاب هذا الطرح: ما الذي يجبر المواطن بالأصل على أن ينشيء بيتاً في حي عشوائي يفتقر للخدمات؟ والسؤال الثاني: لماذا برأيهم يحدث هذا الزحف المجنون إلى المدن الكبرى؟ والسؤال الثالث: هل مخطط أم الخير عشوائي؟ بل هل أحياء الجامعة والحمراء والأندلس وفلسطين -وقد غرقت- عشوائيات؟

أهل جدة انتبهوا أيضاً بأن أمانة مدينتهم ليست سوى جهاز واحد وسط عشرات الأجهزة الحكومية والمؤسسات الخاصة المسؤولة عما جرى..ومن الخطأ والظلم تحميلها وحدها المسؤولية. ففي ظل غياب الشفافية والمحاسبة، وتفشي الواسطات والمحسوبيات، وانعدام التخطيط السليم، وعدم وجود جهة متمكنة لإدارة الكوارث فإن هذا أقل ما يمكن يحصل.

الطريقة الأمثل لقياس حجم الغضب الذي يستوطن قلوب وعقول سكان العروس هو بملاحظة تغلب هذا الغضب على مشاعر الخوف والتحفظ حينما يأتي الأمر لانتقاد المسؤول أياً كان، أصبح الناس يتحدثون بصراحة ولسان حالهم يقول لقد طفح الكيل! وما الذي يمكن أن يحصل لهم أكثر مما حصل؟ حين تتعرض لتجربة مريرة تقف فيها بين الحياة والموت أو حين تفقد حبيباً أو قريباً أو تخسر بيتك وأغلى ممتلكاتك..فما الذي يبقى لتخشى عليه؟

بدأت الأمور الآن بالعودة إلى طبيعتها في جدة، وإن كان ذلك يتم ببطء شديد لمن لديهم مصالح يجب أن تُقضى، وبدأ أهل جدة – لاسيما شبابها – يخرجون من حالة الإرتباك الأولية ويطرحون الأسئلة الصعبة والتي لم تعد لماذا حصل هذا لهم؟ بل لماذا تتجدد هذه المأساة؟ وماذا حصل لشعار محاسبة “كائناً من كان”؟ وماذا يجب أن يفعلوا ليس فقط لإغاثة المنكوبين فحسب بل لمنع تكرر ذلك مجدداً؟

الأجوبة التي ستأتيهم قد تتشابه أو تختلف، لكن الأكيد هو أن حراكاً شعبياً شاباً وضع المطر بذوره العام الماضي بدأت سيقانه تشق سطح الأرض وتبرز على السطح اليوم. قوية هي حبة المطر وقادرة على أن تفتت بهطولها المتواصل قوة الحجر.. ومعظم النار من مستصغر الشرر..قطرة هي اليوم ولكن من يدري فربما تغدو غداً..أو ربما بعد غد..بحر.

45 flood volunteers honored

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/myfiles/Images/2011/02/11/na02-big.jpg

Aamer Trambu
Friday, 11 February 2011

Some of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to help others in need. (Courtesy photo)JEDDAH: Kai Fitness Center thursday honored 45 leading flood volunteers here by providing them with free short-term memberships at its fitness clubs. “It is elementary to support and show appreciation to the volunteers. This will encourage them to enhance their efforts. We hope this also encourages others to do selfless work for the community,” Mohammed Bakhrieba, Marketing Manager at Kai, told Saudi Gazette.
Over 3,000 volunteers were involved in providing relief and support to victims of the Jeddah flood. They played a major role in supporting men, women and children who were stranded either at schools, offices or on the streets. The relief efforts continued for upto two weeks after the flood that left the city in a limbo, damaging roads, homes and infrastructure.
Badr Al-Shibani, the founder of Kai said: “Advocacy and communication of the youth would definitely impact our future. I would love to see every individual taking part in social development; they are doing a remarkable job already! I’m keen to witness other companies and civil establishments take the same slope to make this change happen.”
Rayan Karkadan, a volunteer coordinator, said the culture of volunteering should shape talents of individuals. “What Kai has done is great, it is a step in the right direction.”
Stop TB campaign, which also had a stall at the Jeddah Exhibition Center and was actively involved in providing medical support to flood victims, gave away the awards to three of their volunteers.
Hatem Mohammed, one of the active volunteers who with his friends helped save 45 lives on Black Wednesday, told Saudi Gazette, “I love volunteering and I do it to help people in need. The floods traumatized many, I met with my friends and we made sure we could do whatever it takes to restore people’s lives.”
He said they never craved for any reward or recognition. “We are grateful to all the organizations who recognize our efforts,” he said.
Hatem and his colleagues is producing a documentary that will showcase Jeddah’s volunteer work.

Saudi Gazette (http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2011021193474)

http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af117/Ahmadrashid/sau_cars.jpg

Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation has donated 1,000 Kia cars to victims of the Jan. 26 floods in Jeddah.

The foundation, chaired by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, struck a deal with the South Korean car manufacturer due to its vehicles’ ease of maintenance.

On Feb. 19, the foundation donated more than 10,000 household items to help victims of the floods. “The people of Jeddah are very dear to our hearts,” said Prince Alwaleed, adding that it is the foundation's duty to help the distressed people.

Muna Abusulayman, secretary-general of the foundation, said: “We are very proud to help the reconstruction effort and help the people of Jeddah in their hour of need."

The donation to the Jeddah victims was made by the foundation following an extensive study to determine how best to meet the needs of those affected.

Air conditioners, washing machines, cookers, refrigerators and carpets were purchased from the Al-Juffali group and distributed by 300 volunteers.

The distribution of aid was carried out in coordination with various charities that have expertise and experience in relief work. The charities included Al-Bir Association, Al-Faisaliya Women's Charity, Alahya Centers, the Women’s Charity Association and Almustawda Alkhairi.

All have also been providing food for the affected victims as well as assistance in rebuilding their homes.

This was achieved through a strategic plan implemented in phases and also in coordination with the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).

Jeddah drainage system
18 August 2011

u63P7z3vkH0&feature=player_embedded#!

^^ yep, but 90% of the spent money would be stolen by then. Welcome to Saudi Arabia!

موضوع مامنه اي فائده على الاطلاق

وجهة رأي << >>


this subject is useless will not change any thing
or you think that the prince of jeddah will visit this site?

we hope jeddah get better (( the bride of the red sea ))




Closed ^^

مواكبة لمكرمة خادم الحرمين الاتصالات السعودية تحتفي بعائلة الشهيد الباكستاني " فرمان "

11 November 2011
كرمت الاتصالات السعودية عائلة الشهيد الباكستاني فرمان علي خان - رحمه الله - وهم من ضيوف خادم الحرمين الشريفين الذين انضموا لـ 1400 حاج يؤدون الفريضة في حج هذا العام على نفقة خادم الحرمين الشريفين ، وتقديراً للشهيد قدمت الشركة عدد من الهدايا الفاخرة كتقدير خاص لجميع العائلة ، وتعبيراً عن شكر السعوديين وعرفانهم بما قام به فقيدهم بإنقاذه 14 شخصا من الغرق ,في السيول التي اجتاحت محافظة جدة عام 1430هـ واستشهد ، رحمه الله ، وهو يهم بإنقاذ آخرين حيث جرفته السيول ،وكانت الدولة قد كرمته بتقديم وسام الملك عبدالعزيز من الدرجة الأولى .

وبالتنسيق المباشر مع وزارة الشئون الإسلامية جرى تنظيم برنامج تكريمي خاص لهم وحفل معايدة في أول أيام عيد الأضحى ، وحضره عن الشركة مدير عام مبيعات الإفراد عبدالعزيز الشويش ، وبمشاركة عدد من الحجاج من ضيوف برنامج خادم الحرمين ،الذين قدمو شكرهم للشركة لهذه الحضور الذي جسد المسئولية الاجتماعية الحقيقة ، مما يشجع على عمل الخير والتفاني لخدمة الآخرين .كما أشاد المسئولون القائمون على برنامج ضيوف خادم الحرمين الشريفين ، وهم من كبار مسئولي وزارة الشئون الإسلامية بدور الاتصالات السعودية في العمل الاجتماعي والخيري ، وحضورها في دعم العديد من البرامج الإسلامية التي تتبنها الجهات الحكومية والمؤسسات الخيرية بالمملكة ، ومنها عدد من برامج التوعية مثل رعاية ملتقى خير أمة الذي تنظمه هيئة الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر سنوياُ .

Source (http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20111111141304/%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%A9_%D9%84%D9%85%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A9_%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%85_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%AA%D9%81%D9%8A_%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%84%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A__%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86_)

Report posted Dec 28, 2009
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Rains to test flood control projects in Jeddah

Nov 12 2011
By MD AL-SULAMI

JEDDAH: With rains looming, government departments in Jeddah are hurrying to complete the new projects aimed at protecting the city from future floods.

The flood control projects undertaken by the Jeddah municipality include new drainage canals in Samer district and a huge flood-water collection tank in Umm Al-Khair.

No less than 2 million man hours of work have been carried out to complete 62 percent of the Samer project and 78 percent of the Umm Al-Khair project over the past two and a half months. While the southern and eastern canals have been completed, work on the northern canal is progressing as scheduled.

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has forecast active surface winds over parts of western Saudi Arabia and rainfall in Jeddah on Monday.

The rain comes as the second anniversary of the Nov. 25, 2009, Jeddah flood disaster draws near.

The flood control projects were launched following the devastation caused by another flood disaster on Jan. 26 this year. At least 142 people died in the two calamities, which also caused massive material losses.

Director General of Civil Defense in the Makkah Province Maj. Gen. Adel Zamzami said 16 centers to counter rain related emergencies have been set up in different parts of Jeddah. Police, the Civil Defense, the traffic police and municipality are all working together for the success of the emergency centers.

"The centers are manned by a sufficient number of men supported by rescue equipment and supplies to deal with any crisis. The equipment include amphibian vehicles, mobile warning siren systems and rubber boats in addition to ordinary rescue and evacuation machinery," he said.

The Civil Defense has installed 45 fixed warning sirens at different locations in the city besides 50 mobile warning systems, he said.

The Civil Defense will also seek the help of local radio and television stations to warn the public in the event of a calamity. It will also use loudspeakers to inform people about what they should do and where they should go and not go in addition to other steps they should take.

The municipality has also taken measures to mobilize a sufficient number of trucks to pump out water from puddles on roads, intersections and residential areas after rain occurs. Drainage facilities have also been implemented in areas vulnerable to stagnant water, according to sources in the municipality.

Residents have started browsing weather forecast sites to obtain news about rains in Jeddah. Many living in east and south Jeddah neighborhoods fear a repetition of the crises of 2009 and 2011 in the event of heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, sources in the company implementing the storm water drainage projects in Jeddah (Nesma) confirmed to Arab News that 99 percent of the projects are complete in 12 locations in Jeddah, adding the completion and delivery of the projects will be on time.

Director of Civil Defense in Jeddah Brig. Gen. Abdullah Jeddawi said the group has taken all possibilities into consideration and is prepared for any emergency. "We have divided the city into 16 divisions and work is under way to organize officers and individuals to put the new plan, which sees close cooperation with all other departments, into effect," he said.

© Arab News 2011

Source (http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20111113032658/Rains_to_test_flood_control_projects_in_Jeddah)

Jeddah dam project stalled

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/myfiles/Images/2011/11/14/fp01-big.jpg

By Saud Al-Barakati
Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — A dam project to prevent flooding in Jeddah has been stalled due to a massive technical oversight. Contractors working on the Wadi Mathwab Dam failed to coordinate over a key junction between vital pipes and drains. The project will be delayed until an unspecified time.
A spokesman said the contracting company is being forced to re-extend the pipes in order to link them at the proper meeting point. This will delay completion of the project until an unspecified time.
He said the pipes must be extended by 1.5 km — from the dam site to Kilo 14 where the rain water pipes will lead to the sea.
The Wadi Mathwab Dam is part of a five-dam project to prevent flooding in Jeddah. The remaining dams have been completed and the final cleaning operations are under way. However the mistake means that a key part of the project to drain off excess rainwater is being delayed.
“We must lay rainwater drainage pipes downstream of the dam where water will be collected. The rainwater will be drained to the sea,” sources said.
Meanwhile, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, Sunday inaugurated the third workshop for rain and water drainage projects. A large number of senior government officials are attending the “Ideal coordination for current and future projects in Jeddah governorate”, workshop.
“Project consultants will give presentations on the engineering solutions approved by the ministerial committee to ward off flood and rain hazards from Jeddah,” a workshop spokesman said earlier.
All these projects, he said, will be handed over at the end of November. These include drainage canals on a number of streets, roads and critical locations in the city. This is on top of the dam project east of Jeddah Al-Samer and Umm Al-Khair districts.

Source (http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=20111114112104)

Any news on this

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14 Jeddah flood projects complete

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An aerial view of the construction work under way in Jeddah.

By MD AL-SULAMI | ARAB NEWS

Published: Nov 26, 2011 02:06 Updated: Nov 26, 2011 02:06

Prince Khaled Al-Faisal expresses satisfaction over completion of work in record time

JEDDAH: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Friday announced the completion of 14 emergency projects to deal with rainwaters and flashfloods in Jeddah, including the construction of Um Al-Khair and Samir dams. He will inspect the dams on Saturday.

“With the completion of the two dams we can say that we have finished all the 14 emergency projects to tackle rainwaters and flashfloods in Jeddah,” said Prince Khaled while chairing a meeting of the executive committee on Jeddah floods.

“We have completed all these projects in a record time after we started work on them about three months ago,” the governor said. “All contractors have finished their works on time,” he said.

Prince Khaled said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, have been following these projects with utmost keenness.

Meanwhile, Prince Khaled will launch on Saturday the first phase of a sewage network project for the central northern region of the city at Jeddah Hilton.

The project aimed at providing sewage connections to households is being implemented by the National Water Company (NWC). It will be completed in 2015.

NWC CEO Luay Al-Musallam said the project includes construction of new sewage water purification plants and expansion of existing ones at a cost of SR680 million. “They will have a total capacity of 444,000 cubic meters of water daily,” he explained.

Speaking about the emergency projects, Prince Khaled said 12 of the 14 projects were aimed at tackling heavy rains and flashfloods, especially in areas that pose danger to the public. “These are not drastic solutions but will help reduce the impact,” the governor said. He also announced the completion of work on 16 support and emergency centers in various parts of the city.

“The temporary headquarters of the crisis center in the Makkah governorate office in Jeddah has been set in full gear to deal with any unforeseen situation.”

He thanked all those who worked hard to complete these vital projects on time, before the rains. He also thanked the municipality, the Civil Defense and the Finance Ministry for their efforts.

He said work on permanent solutions for Jeddah floods would start in the first quarter of next year. A team of experts working for the project has already completed necessary studies and designs.

The permanent solutions include construction of dams, rainwater drainage canals and development of the city’s underdeveloped districts and construction of modern transport systems.

Samir Al-Dhamin, director of emergency projects, said the 14 projects were completed as a result of round-the-clock work, covering a total of 2.4 million hours.

It also included 755,000 cubic meters of digging work on roads, installation of 18,000 meters of cement pipes, identification of 2,700 areas prone to rainwater flooding, and asphalting of 35,000 sq. meters of streets.

“We have also cleaned 78,000 sq. meters of pipes and 2,200 areas inundated by rainwater. We have also replaced 25 pumps to remove water from seven underpasses by stronger ones,” he said. In addition, there will be 16 mobile pumps for emergency.

During the function, Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras made a presentation on his department’s plan to clean rainwater drainage systems and carry out maintenance for them. “We have set out a plan to deal with potentially dangerous areas during rains,” he told the governor, adding that a contractor has been assigned to check the drainage system every Thursday of the week.

In his presentation, Maj. Gen. Adel Zamzami, director general of Civil Defense in the Makkah province, said the emergency centers have been established to cover all the districts of the city during rains. He said some districts in areas that are prone to dangerous flooding have been provided with nine centers to deal with emergency situations.

Saad Al-Ahmary, undersecretary at the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, disclosed the setting up of 14 weather stations in Jeddah and 25 in other parts of the region for monitoring weather conditions including rains and sandstorms.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article538670.ece


أمير مكة: نهاية مشروعي أم الخير والسامر دليل على اكتمال "الحلول العاجلة" - بعدسة: أحمد حجازي

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http://www.al-madina.com/node/340689

Hi All,

Ive only just found this thread on here and thought that I would say a little about Um Al Khair and Al Samar Dam and channel works.

I was brought in early in 2011 to assess the requirements to prevent flooding of Jeddah and implement short term projects able to cope with floods. After identifying the main hot spots, assessing exising flood defences and projecting the possible maximum flood and the derivatives 19 plans allowing protection of the city were proposed.

Obviously being only one man I could not take all the projects through to completion but selected to design the dams and channels at Um al Khair and Al Samer. If you have any questions please ask.

As for the other works undertaken that have been mentioned on here they have not been designed by Flood Defence/Dam Engineers. I have inspected a number of dams being built about Jeddah and my recomemdation is to allow them to be completed and them undertake remedial works to allow them to work as they should. Yes another waste of money but I wasnt in Kingdom when these dams were designed and initiated.

However I can garantee that any of the new works carried out on UAK, AS or any other works I will be involved with will be as it costs and no money will be appropriated as with previous municipality projects

7tnYSiMTEGw

KSA inks $1bn in permanent flood works for Jeddah

The new contracts are designed to prevent future flash flooding disasters in Jeddah.

Makkah has named four contractors that will build permanent flood protection for the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.

The contracts, which total just under $1bn, follow the completion of 14 emergency flood projects that were issued in Auguest 2011 as a response to demand by Saudi’s ruler King Abdullah to immediately protect the city from flash flooding.

The city was hit by two major floods in 2009 and 2011 which killed 120 people and rendered more than 10,000 people homeless while thousands of homes, buildings and vehicles were also destroyed.

Italian firm Snamprogetti Saudi Arabia Co. Ltd., a company of Saipem Group of Italy, landed the largest contract, valued at $351m to construct a rainwater drainage system for the new Jeddah airport.

Nesma Company was awarded a $214m contract to build four dams in Wadi Ghaya, Wadi Um Hablain, Wadi Daghbaj, and Wadi Briman and another contract worth $100 million to build another dam in Wadi Ghalil and renovate the southern floodwater path.

China Communications Construction Company was awarded a $38m contract valued at SR143 million to renovate the northern floodwater path.

Saudi Pan Kingdom for Trade, Industry and Contracting (Sapac) won a SR751 million contract to renovate the eastern floodwater path.

The four companies were selected from a shortlist of 13 firms. No details of deadlines for each of the projects were provided.