JEDDAH: There are still complaints about mosquito and fly infestations, despite alleged efforts by the Jeddah municipality to fumigate neighborhoods and floodwater sites.
The municipality claimed last week that it had fumigated over 1,300 floodwater sites believed to be breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito. It followed complaints from residents in areas such as Quwaizah and Kilo 14 that were worst hit by the devastating flash floods on Nov. 25. The municipality said it had dispatched teams to areas across Jeddah where dengue fever and other diseases could spread from the polluted waters.
“Our main focus right now is to fumigate districts that were worst flooded,” Assistant Deputy Mayor of Jeddah and head of Crisis Management Mahmoud Kansara said. “We have intensified our teams and increased working hours to spray all areas.”
People are however complaining not enough pesticide has been sprayed in some Jeddah districts including Al-Faisaliyah, Al-Safa and Al-Rawdah among others. Fears about the spread of diseases such as dengue fever are worrying families.
“I haven’t seen any fumigation in my neighborhood since the rain. My two kids have been bitten by mosquitoes and now flies are everywhere inside the house,” said Nuha Khaled, a Al-Safa resident.
She said at this time of the year flies are not usually so widespread due to cool weather conditions but the floods had changed that.
“I think they should change the name of Jeddah from the Bride of the Red Sea to dirt of the Red Sea,” said 25-year-old worker Ahmed Al-Adel. “It is sad to see such a great city drown in only few hours of rain. Now everywhere you go you smell sewage, even in places such as Tahliyah Street.” Al-Adel also confirmed that he has not seen one spraying car in his neighborhood in north Jeddah. “We hear about efforts from the Municipality but we don’t see anything,” he added.
Kansara claimed the municipality’s focus had been on damaged areas, but now with increased numbers of workers he believed all of Jeddah would be covered.
