BISHA — Flash floods have damaged a vital road across Bin Al-Neaa valley in Asir province and motorists and residents who use it have called upon authorities to take protective measures to ensure their safety. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, residents living in both sides of the valley said the narrow road between Abla and Thunayya does not meet the needs of the population and growing numbers of motorists. They said the road was not constructed properly to withstand strong floods. "People of Bin Al-Neaa are afraid of using this narrow road during the rainy season as they fear flash floods would sweep their vehicles and endanger their lives," said Ayed Daghesh Al-Aklabi, adding that floods have removed the first layer of the road's concrete during the last rainy season. "We have been watching heavy floods lashing the road and removing part of its outer concrete layer. By the grace of Allah, no major disasters occurred yet," Al-Aklabi said. "These kinds of scenarios have occurred a number of times endangering people using the vital road," he pointed out. "Now people are afraid that flash floods would endanger their lives," Al-Aklabi said. "The problem is the road is very narrow and it does not meet the needs of the residents. We are afraid that flash floods would cross the road and hit our homes," he added. He said the residents had informed the Road Department in Bisha about their concern several years ago but it did not take any action to ensure the safety of motorists and residents. "We take this opportunity to call upon the authorities to find an immediate solution to this problem to ensure safety of the valley's residents and motorists," he said. Hamdan Al-Aklabi said the road lacked safety measures. "The road department should widen the road and put cement barriers on either sides to prevent vehicles from falling into the deep valley." He said a number of accidents have taken place on the road due to the absence of such barriers. "We hope the authorities would move quickly to ensure motorists' safety," he added.
