DHAMAD – People of Dhamad have been calling for construction of a bridge over the valley where many people have drowned over the past years as a result of torrential floods. They said they would hold the Transport Ministry responsible for every death in the valley because of its failure to construct a flyover with a length of 750 meters. Mohammed Al-Hazmi, director general of the Road Department in Jazan, said the bridge's construction was delayed due to lack of funds. "We have asked the ministry to allocate funds for the project but it has not yet responded," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Residents have expressed their amazement why the ministry was rejecting funds for the much-needed project that would not cost much. Khaled Al-Hazmi said Dhamad people are afraid of heavy rains when many people are likely to drown as a result of the resultant floods. "We call upon authorities to end our plight by constructing a bridge, which would protect vehicles from being swept away by floods," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Mohammed Tammah Al-Hazmi also referred to incidents of drowning during the rainy season every year. "Many motorists and passengers have been swept away with their vehicles by floods. We remember such incidents with extreme fear," he added. There is no solution for this problem except construction of a bridge. "We have been hearing about this bridge project for the last two years but nothing has happened on the ground." Abdullah Al-Mathari said heavy rains in the valley obstruct communication between Dhamad and surrounding villages due to flooding. "We are all awaiting the construction of a bridge." Hussein Al-Hazmi described the Finance Ministry's refusal to fund the Dhamad bridge as catastrophic. "The bridge is only 750 meters long and will not cost much but its absence will result in many people losing their precious lives every year," he said. Al-Hazmi held the Transport Ministry responsible for every death caused by the absence of a bridge in Dhamad. "It's unfortunate that our authorities respond only when a catastrophe occurs." Hussein Al-Arr also criticized the ministry for not taking the issue seriously. "We have been hearing about incidents of drowning in Dhamad valley every year but it did not move the ministry to construct the bridge. This is unacceptable," he said.
