There is a partial breakthrough in the crisis of 120,000 plots of land in eastern Jeddah that were frozen by the mayoralty after the city's flood disaster. Alawi Sumait, Deputy Mayor for Projects and Construction, said that in the next few weeks, the mayoralty will lift the ban on making use of 35 to 40 percent of the plots. After the Saudi Geological Survey studied the area, the mayoralty stopped granting licenses to use the land because it was found to be located in valley beds, which are flood-prone, and flood routes. Khaled Bin Fadhl Aqeel, Deputy Mayor, said the SGS is finishing studies related to these plots and pointed out that there was a trend to demarcate the flood-prone areas so construction is avoided there. Earlier this week, Saudi Gazette reported that the First Notary Public has resumed the transfer of property ownership in east Jeddah despite the decision by the Ministry of Justice to halt the measures for premises located on flash flood courses and in valleys at risk. Demarcation of the risky locations has been assigned to a committee of representatives from King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, the SGS and the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment.
