TAIF: A number of citizens in the centers and villages of Taif Governorate, home to more than 3,000 people, are disgruntled about the neglect of major roads that were destroyed by floods two weeks ago, but an official said a SR2.5 million project will address the problems. Floods resulting from heavy rain in the area caused traffic problems when some culverts were clogged and inundated major roads or left them with mud, residents said. Several citizens told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that some of the damaged roads were constructed decades ago. They said the downpour exposed the bad engineering, planning and construction of the roads, and the lack of protection for the roadsides, some of which stretch for 10 kilometers. Maintenance teams were slow to repair roads damaged by the floods, residents said, and heavy rain also caused rockslides on roads in mountainous areas, which posed further dangers to motorists.Ismail Ibrahim, director of Public Relations and spokesman for Taif Mayoralty, said it would soon execute a project to protect roads in Taif's southern villages, at a cost of SR2.5 million. The work will include constructing concrete barriers and drains, along with full maintenance of the roads.In another weather-related development, a number of schools in Taif Governorate decided Saturday to send students home because of thick fog, severe winds, biting cold weather and scattered rainfall. Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learned that tens of schools in Al-Shafa, Al-Hada and the centers of southern Taif closed their doors and more than 4,000 male and female students were sent home.School administrations called students' guardians to come and take their children home. Education sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that school principals have the discretion to send students home if it is unanimously decided by the school's Education Council that the students will be imperiled if they remain in school.
