Mohammad Hadhadh Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Residents of Al-Sanabil and Al-Ajaweed neighborhoods in southeast Jeddah regret the millions of riyals they have spent in building their houses. These two neighborhoods are not deemed fit for living. Ever since the flooding disaster in Jeddah three years ago, swamps in the streets are a common sight. They are a source for breeding insects and diseases. Underground water is also affecting the foundations of their homes. Citizens in Al-Sanabil neighborhood complain of open holes near their houses. These holes become swamps during rainy days. Some holes are always full. The ground is saturated with water, and cannot absorb rainwater. The drainage system Al-Ajaweed neighborhood diverts flood waters to Al-Sanabil drainage, thus aggravating the problem further. Residents criticize the Jeddah municipality and the National Water Company (NWC) for their failure in finding solutions to these stagnant pools of waters. As soon as the sun sets, swamps of mosquitoes invade the neighborhoods. Residents do not have any defense, except to use harmful pesticides. Many residents have put up their houses for sale. Rents have declined by more than 25 percent, as some residents have moved to other neighborhoods. The authorities have closed some streets due to the overflow of underground water. The owner of an engineering office cautioned that the effect of underground water on houses would decrease the life expectancy of the buildings by more than 60 percent. Houses may crack as the soil cannot bear their weight. He advises house owners to consult specialized engineering offices to inspect their foundations. A source in (NWC) said 19 neighborhoods in Jeddah suffer from rising underground water, and that SR100 million has been allocated to deal with the problem.
