JEDDAH: The 122nd body from the Nov. 25 flash floods in Jeddah was discovered, the Civil Defense announced on Sunday. Neither the location of the body nor its description was provided. An investigation is underway to identify the body and to see if it is one of the 39 persons still reported missing.
Meanwhile, more than 200 volunteers from the Friends of Jeddah Program (FJP), in collaboration with several other private organizations, recently undertook the cleaning of the Gholail district, which was badly affected by last month’s floods.
“Before embarking on the cleaning operations, the FJP assessed damage in the district in collaboration with some government agencies,” said Jamal Al-Mundhiri, director of the FJP. Al-Mundhiri welcomed the overwhelming help offered by young men and women in volunteer services.
“More than 1,500 volunteers have been undertaking various relief activities with a spirit of competition,” he said. “The culture of volunteer service is spreading among our youth. Now we have a large database of volunteers who are willing to help out in areas affected by the floods.”
More than 150 FJP volunteers cleaned apartments and removed damaged furniture in the Gholail district.
Al-Mundhiri stressed the need to draw up a road map and devise a strategy to make voluntary services more effective. He also said there is a need to define the society’s requirements, adding that the FJP recently sent out text messages to members of the public to create awareness about the organization.
In another development, 60 heavy machines were used to remove debris and dirt left by floods in some districts of south Jeddah, said a Jeddah municipality statement.
“The municipality filled all pits and drained stagnant water that have been posing a threat to residents in the districts of Al-Ajaweed and Prince Abdul Majeed. Main streets were cleaned and roads were made usable,” the statement said, quoting Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, chairman of the Al-Janoub branch municipality.
Al-Ghamdi said municipal officials visited rainwater drainage projects in various districts.
“They also visited the Kilo 14 and Al-Adal districts where service roads and main streets have been cleaned, and roads are being rebuilt and asphalted.
The area surrounding the Al-Thaghr Hospital was also cleaned. Stagnant waters in Al-Jawhara district were pumped dry and pits filled. Insecticides have been sprayed in all of the districts,” he added. The official brushed aside accusations of lapses on the part of the municipality.
“We do not pay attention to rumors and baseless accusations nor spend our time refuting them. In the current stage following the flood, the municipality has been focusing all of its attention on cleaning and removing debris left by the flood and in helping people,” he said.
