ABHA – Residents of Wadi Al-Dhalae, a valley in Tihama Asir highlands south of the Kingdom, have called upon the Transport Ministry to asphalt its main road to help them reach their homes, especially during the time of heavy rains and torrential floods. "We have been calling upon the ministry to open the road, which has been blocked by falling rocks. The road starts from Wayela in Marabat Asir and pass by Wadi Nasib, Wadi Al-Jama and Uqbat Mahjara," Yahya Mohammed Al-Shahrani said. The road is the village's artery as it requires for teachers, officials and students to reach their schools and offices as well as for villagers to visit other cities in the region. "I am amazed to see the negligence of authorities toward Wadi Al-Dhalae Road even after understanding its importance," he said, adding that the last torrential floods brought down big rocks to the middle of road and blocked it. "There will not be a second opinion on the need to develop this road," Al-Shahrani said. "A large number of teachers and officials use this road to reach their schools and offices every day." He hoped the ministry would take immediate steps to remove rocks from the middle of road and make it usable for motorists. Mohammed Jaber Yahya also urged the ministry to asphalt the road being the artery that connects the village with the outside world. Mohammed Moajjel also stressed the need to develop the road to boost the village's social, economic and agricultural development. Teacher Ali Hassan Mubaraki explained the difficulty he faces everyday to reach Suhaib Al-Roomi School in the village. "The road lacks safety requirements," he added. Mubaraki urged the ministry to asphalt the road as quickly as possible to end the plight of Wadi Al-Dhalae's people. "The difficulty to reach the school has affected its academic standard," he pointed out. The rocks that have blocked the road have isolated the village from nearby villages and cities.
