ABHA — The people of Alaya village are afraid that the explosion of Mariba dam, located 40 km south of Abha, would threaten their very existence. They have urged authorities to take necessary measures to protect them from a possible overflow of the dam sweeping away their homes. "The dam is located just 600 meters away from our homes," said Abdu Maashi. "We fear the dam would explode on us any time as a result of rising water levels," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. The flooded dam also brings nasty smell and reptiles to our homes, he added. He requested authorities to reduce the dam's water level and accommodate the villagers in safer areas before any deadly danger befalls upon them. Maashi said the villagers are afraid that the dam's explosion would destroy their homes. "We expect that authorities would take quick action to reduce water level inside the dam and evacuate residents of Alaya village, which is situated just 600 meters away from the dam," he explained. "The dam poses a big threat to the villagers especially after heavy rains," Maashi said. Ahmed Al-Tafafi, another resident, also cautioned authorities about the danger posed by the Mariba Dam, which has been filled with water following heavy showers. "We are afraid the dam would overflow and water flows into our homes within no time," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. The dam has turned into a breeding ground for disease carrying insects and nasty odor. "Water-borne poisonous reptiles enter into our homes," Al-Tafafi said while urging authorities to dry the dam and accommodate the residents in a safe place away from the dam. Yahya Abdu said the Mariba Dam has become a source of fear for Alaya villagers. "It spreads a bad odor, produces mosquitoes and other insects and brings poisonous reptiles to our homes." Ahmed Ayed said the residents of Alaya village are spending sleepless nights following heavy rains that have filled the dam. "We are afraid of a catastrophe that would befall on us if the authorities did not take action immediately to reduce water level in the dam," he said. Ayed urged authorities to end the suffering of Alaya villagers as quickly as possible before the expected explosion of the dam. More than 1,000 people live in Alaya.
