Officials here have given assurances that all the dams under construction will be ready if the city experiences heavy rainfall. Under the scorching sun on Saturday afternoon, thousands of workers, engineers and machinery could be seen working to complete the urgent flood projects, which is expected to be completed in one week. Work was intensified following a warning from the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment that there was a chance of rain Monday. The forecast was later revised to no rain for five days. Okaz/Saudi Gazette visited the east Jeddah dam projects and listened to assurances that all the projects and drainage canals were ready to face any floods and divert the water to the sea. The company implementing the projects said that it has almost completed the clay dam at Al-Samer district by covering it with four layers of boulders and concrete. It has also constructed the Umm Al-Khair dam. Muhammad Radhi, field supervisor of projects, said that Al-Samer dam can drain 20 cubic meters of water per second while Umm Al-Khair dam can drain 40 cubic meters of water per second. Despite the short period given to complete the projects, all companies succeeded in completing 95 percent of their projects under the watchful eye of Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah. Sultan Al-Dawsri, director-general of studies and public relations at the Makkah Emirate, said all the rain and flood drainage projects will be completed by the middle of November. Eng. Ahmad Al-Sleem, director of the rainwater and flood drainage projects, said the aim was to solve last year's problems and prevent any future losses. He said the Makkah Emirate, Jeddah Mayoralty, Civil Defense Directorate, Jeddah Traffic Department and other bodies have taken the necessary measures to protect citizens and residents. __
