The Civil Defense in Makkah has called on the mayor's office to halt construction on 42 proposed residential sites because of the danger of floods. Jameel Arbaeen, Makkah's Civil Defense Director, said the department concluded there was a threat after a geological team inspected the locations. It approached several bodies on the issue, he said, adding that the mayor's office responded to the report. Arbaeen said his department's role was only to identify the locations that are a potential flood hazard to residents. The mayor's office is responsible for taking action, he added. Arbaeen said scientific studies must be conducted through his department, the Saudi Geological Survey, the mayor's office and the Emir's office. The Civil Defense called for more coordination between government bodies to protect the city's residential areas. The city has witnessed torrential rainfall over the past two days. Previously a geological committee completed a study of Makkah's residential areas that are under threat. The study, on which the Civil Defense report was based, called for a halt on all construction in the 42 areas. The committee said its inspections over several months concluded that solutions might be found for 26 of the areas, but that there were no known solutions to the other 16 located in risky valleys. The committee, comprising two specialist teams of engineers, mayor's office surveyors and Civil Defense geological specialists, said the 16 modern residential plans are a hazard to residents. The committee called on the mayor's office and Makkah Notary Public to halt all ownership transfers until the problems are solved. __
