Makkah is safe from the type of floods which recently devastated Jeddah, according to the Mayor of Makkah, Dr. Osama Al-Baz. Al-Baz emphasized that Bahra was not affected by the torrential rains which lashed Jeddah Wednesday and left 105 people dead. This is because a technical team of experts and specialists, from the Projects Management and Flood Drainages, had identified areas which might be endangered by heavy rains and had prepared for it. He said the damage in Bahra, with a population of 100,000, which the Makkah Mayoralty supervises, was insignificant. “This is thanks to the strong and high quality infrastructure as well as the emergency 180- meter dam which was constructed to protect the town from any floods.” He said that there was no coordination between the Makkah and Jeddah mayoralties in matters related to the protection of the two cities from the risk of floods, although both cities are surrounded by mountains to the east. He rejected claims that the floods of Wadi Fatima had aggravated the situation in Jeddah because the floodwaters passed through Heda and Old Makkah Highway and went directly into the Red Sea. He said the water could have come through other valleys but not Wadi Fatima because its route is clear. He said it had absolutely nothing to do with what had happened. “I don't think the floods of Wadi Fatima contributed to the disaster witnessed by the coastal city,” he said. He said everything was normal in the Holy City. Stagnant water had been pumped out in some areas where it was needed and the streets had been cleaned. He said that Bahra was completely safe because of its flood canals. Also, constant assessment was done to determine the quality and sustainability of the region's projects. He said that Makkah's authorities have years of experience dealing with floodwater. “We have long experience and history with floods in Makkah particularly the 1969 floods during the reign of the late King Faisal Bin Abdul Aziz.” During this time the flood canals and routes at Ibrahim Al-Khalil Valley were deepened, he said. It has been 40 years and the situation was still excellent. Makkah also has a network of tunnels to deal with any floodwater. He said most of the projects to develop the flood canals were discussed by the Higher Commission for the Development of Makkah, Madina and the Holy Sites. In one year about seven projects were carried out at a total cost of SR200 million. “Makkah is fortified and secured from floods, God Willing,” he said. He said the heavy rain that lashed Makkah last Wednesday was measured at 45mm. This was concrete evidence of the efficiency of the projects carried out by the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
