Ali Ghursan Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Civil Defense in Makkah has repeatedly warned the mayoralty that at least 40 plots of land in the city fall in the flood-prone areas, said Maj. Gen. Jamil Arbaeen, Director of Civil Defense, has said. Gen. Abaeen said his administration had addressed the Makkah Mayoralty two years earlier, pointing out that aerial photographs have identified 23 critical points where storm water gathers in depressions. The mayoralty was also notified that these plots were vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains. The responsibility now rests with the mayoralty and it should be asked about the measures it has taken so far to protect people's lives, Gen. Abaeen said. “Makkah Mayoralty is directly responsible for these plots and the role of the Civil Defense ends after the warning notification,” he said. About projects designed to protect Jeddah from the risks of floods, Gen. Abaeen said Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, was personally supervising these projects. “These projects will effectively protect Jeddah from the floods especially from the eastern side,” he said. Construction work for Jeddah's long term drainage solution is in full swing with work on five dams already finished while others are under construction. There are water gathering points in several areas of Jeddah which need drainage and flood canals, he said. The Civil Defense has installed flood warning sirens in 23 neighborhoods to alert the residents of the dangers of flooding, he added.
