Amir Fawaz district, southeast of the city, have accused the mayoralty of ignoring their demands to open old flood canals in the area, which last week resulted in 10 houses being flooded after the heavy rain. They said that the flood canals are blocked by new buildings and roads. The southwestern part of the neighborhood is surrounded by the main flood canal. The other canal is on the north side along the Jeddah to Makkah highway. The land slopes in such a way that when it rains the water runs down into the neighborhood and floods the houses. Dr. Yousef Badr, an academic at King Abdulaziz University and one of the residents, said that when the mayoralty gave permission for the building of houses, they did not consider that the neighborhood would be in a low-lying area. “When the mayoralty officials visited the district, they asked me for a road map which would show where the flood canal used to be. How come the mayoralty asks residents [for this information]? It's quite incredible.” When the downpour came last week, his house was flooded to a height of one meter, said Badr. Now he is building a small wall in front of his home and a gate to prevent water from streaming in. “I have lost some of my education certificates in the floods. I erected a tent next to my villa where I am staying with my family until the water in my home and from the road is drained,” he said. He added that he lost three cars in the deluge. Although the mayoralty has brought a water pump to drain the water from villas and streets of the neighborhood, it is useless because the electricity cuts out all the time. “How will the pump work without electricity?” asked Badr. The flood canal south of the district has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, birds, some dangerous insects and mice. “Ten years ago, I used to sit on the side of the canal to watch the floodwaters running by when it rained. There were no buildings there because it was considered a flood path,” he said.
