Prince Naif, Minster of Interior, has approved an emergency plan to address flood damage across the Kingdom. The plan involving 28 ministries and other government bodies came as the meteorological department in Jeddah said more rains accompanied by thunderstorms were expected during the couple of days ahead. The rains have come as a respite from the oppressive heat. Jeddah experienced a downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning Sunday night and within 15 to 20 minutes of rain puddles could be seen. “The amount of rainfall on Sunday night in Jeddah was 8.2 mm,” said Hamad Noor, the weather forecaster at Jeddah Meteorological Department. Rains in other parts of the Kingdom were recorded at: Riyadh had 5mm, Najran 0.2 mm, Abha 1.2mm, Wadi Al-Dawasir 1mm, Baha 2.2mm, Al-Qassim 6.2mm, Al-Qaysuma 2.2mm respectively,” he said . Lt. Gen. Sa'ad Bin Abdullah Al-Twaijri, chief of Civil Defense, said the emergency plan was initiated by the governors of the 13 provinces in response to a meteorological situation similar to that of 1996-97 in Al-Qunfudha and Al-Mahani. The plan, which has an open budget, covers rescue, evacuation and emergency assistance, the setting up of camps and refuge shelters and health facilities, and the provision of food and clothing, heating. Al-Twaijri added that all resources including helicopters, dinghies, and rescue cranes, plus 800 divers on top of those already existing with the Border Guards, the armed forces and the National Guard were ready. Despite the provision of equipment and human resources, Al-Twaijri warned that certain circumstances are beyond any control. “Floods can sometimes bring waters of up to 20 tons, strong enough to wash away the heaviest of rescue equipment.” “If there is a need to evacuate a settlement,” Al-Twaijri continued, “then people will be informed and moved to schools, pre-designated government buildings, or refuge shelters.” Al-Twaijri added that the many ministries and national organizations involved in the emergency plan, among them the army, the National Guard and internal security forces, will be under the authority of province governors and ministry branches and the government authorities in each region. – Okaz/SG __
