Muhammad Mujahid Syed Saudi Gazette Jeddah — When hundreds of motorists and commuters were stranded on flooded roads due to heavy rains in Jeddah on Tuesday, young Saudi volunteers who own 4-wheel drives (4WD) came forward for help. Tariq Al-Abdullah, coordinator of 4WD volunteers, offered rescue services through an ad in social media. They received around 700 calls over an 18-hour period as the city was battered by heavy rainfall and strong winds. Tariq said they are not an official organization but a group of young Jeddawis who want to offer help in such situations. "We are a number of friends who own 4WDs. As warnings were issued two days ago about heavy rainfall, we set up teams of volunteers to rescue stranded motorists and commuters." This is not the first time that the 4WD team has offered help to stranded people. In the 2009 and 2011 floods, they participated in relief and rescue operations. Speaking of rescue missions, Tariq said, "the most serious incident involved a couple of physically challenged motorists who were stranded on Malik Road." "Another rescue operation involved a man who was on the way to the hospital for his regular check-up. He was stuck and called us. We immediately sent him a volunteer to rescue him and take him to the hospital." Adnan Attar, 25, Samer Sabban, 27, joined hands with other volunteers to rescue stranded commuters. "Since I own a vehicle which can go into deep water, I decided to join the team and I am always ready for help," said Adnan. "It is a great feeling when we rescue someone," added Samer Sabban. The volunteers also provided food and water to stranded people. Mohammad Arif Khan, a long-time Indian expatriate residing in Jeddah, was stranded on Palestine Road, and had to spend time in his car in Haifa Mall's parking lot from 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. "During this time I got an opportunity to witness firsthand the well-known humanitarian spirit and services of Saudi youths," he said. "Driving Hummers, Land Cruisers and other SUVs, these young Saudi volunteers offered their tireless and selfless services to individuals and families. They not only pulled out vehicles stuck in water, but also offered bottled water, snacks and dates to stranded people," said Arif.
