Forecasts for heavy rain in the Jeddah Governorate and its suburbs as the winter season draws near have raised fears among residents that there could be more flood disasters like those that occurred last year – and residents and officials are concerned about slow progress on key projects. A report issued by Jeddah Mayoralty's Projects Bureau said seven strategic projects for storm-water drainage and preventing flood hazards are lagging behind schedule. Sources in Jeddah Mayoralty told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the predicted rain could disrupt work on bridges and underpasses in Jeddah, especially those located within valley flood courses. Officials are working to determine the most prominent hazards that could cause a recurrence of the Black Wednesday flood disaster last November that killed over 120 people and the predicted rain's possible impact on ongoing projects, according to sources. Officials want to ensure that projects are not damaged or subjected to landslides at a time when some of them are proceeding slowly and excavation work at underpass sites is still in its initial stages, sources said. Observers have noticed the slow pace of work in the northern part of the underpass project at the intersection of Prince Majed Street and Palestine Street, which is in the flood course of Bani Malik Valley; the underpass project at the intersection of Prince Majed Street and Abdullah Al-Sulaiman Road, which is located on one of the tributaries of the Qows Valley course; and a similar project at the junction of Prince Majed Street and Prince Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz Road, formerly Tahlia Street. Sources have told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that the new Jeddah mayor, Dr. Hani Abu Ras, has issued directives to the relevant authorities in the Jeddah Mayoralty to hold a weekly meeting, under the chairmanship of the deputy mayor, at the Construction and Projects Agency to discuss the disrupted projects and delayed payments. Dr. Ras also issued directives to hold a monthly meeting under his chairmanship to issue final decisions on these pending cases, sources added. Sources also said the projects have been disrupted by the existence of some services that obstruct their routes and amendments to other projects, along with other problems related to contractors and payments. The Jeddah Mayoralty has withdrawn some stalled projects, including the surface-water drainage project in Petromin and Ghulail districts, sources added. Companies working on the projects have been officially notified to stick to their initial schedules. The Jeddah Mayoralty has stressed that delay or foot-dragging would lead to projects being withdrawn, according to the terms of the contracts.
