“We need quick measures to save the residents of East Jeddah from a possible collapse of the dam and to restore the peace of mind of people living there,” said Bassam Akhdar, a member of the council from east Jeddah.

The council had received complaints from residents in the area saying there are serious breaches on the dam. A field survey found that there is a major technical defect on the dam's construction, demanding quick intervention by municipality authorities.

“Pumping the leaked water back into the dam is a temporary solution,” said Akhdar. “I am afraid this process would affect the dam and result in its collapse,” he added.

He said the Samir dam was constructed following the Nov. 25, 2009 Jeddah floods after water levels in the check dam reached 18 meters. It was also necessary after water at Wadi Al-Asla reached 12 million cubic meters.

Akhdar hoped that the new projects approved by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah would solve the problem.

Meanwhile, the Civil Defense has been continuing its search for three missing people in the recent Jeddah floods. The director of the information center at the center, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Qarni, pointed out that the Civil Defense has participated in the field works in Jeddah with 1,786 officers and servicemen in addition to 205 pieces of equipment and machinery.

Al-Qarni said, in a report issued on Saturday, that 10 people had died in floods in Jeddah and 114 injured in addition to the damage caused to 10,318 houses and 7,270 vehicles.

He pointed out that as many as 5,775 families and 27,142 people have been accommodated  by housing committees consisting of the Civil Defense and the Finance Ministry.

He noted that the Red Crescent is still dealing with the situation in Jeddah with 15 teams, 23 ambulances and two aircraft.