MAHAYIL ASIR: The increase in uncontrolled building in Mahayil Asir has led to an increase in the population's vulnerability to the threat of floods, the Civil Defense has said. “There are homes located on dangerous sites and close to valleys on the Mahayil-Abha Road whose occupants have in the past been asked to vacate when floods had occurred,” a Civil Defense official said. “Earth barriers and uncontrolled construction of houses present the potential for a flash flood catastrophe in the region.” Residents of the area, particularly in its east, say they fear flash floods due to poor drainage facilities and the accumulation of water in them which has turned the road to the industrial city into a “power flood course”, damaging vehicles, workshops and commercial outlets. The people living on the banks of Wadi Tayh are still fearful of a repeat of the tragic floods of 29 years ago when houses were torn away and roads and farms destroyed, while in Wadi Halli locals are concerned at the “fragile barrier” protecting the area which they say is “close to collapse”. In the small town of Al-Reish, locals readily recall the extensive damage done only a year ago to houses and property when the weak barrier designed to protect them broke down. An official from the Mahayil Asir municipality said that drainage channels had been built. “Channels have been built in the district of Al-Hamata, in front of the General Hospital and Al-Dha'bayn Road, and there are other projects under construction,” he said.
