“We have completed a study on how to protect the city from floods, with the support of a consulting office, and we have identified the pathways of flood waters,” he told the Saudi Press Agency.

A number of new projects worth more than SR90 million will be implemented as part of the first phase of a massive project to prevent flooding in the region.

The move comes after two massive rainwater floods in the city of Jeddah in November 2009 and January 2011 killed many people and destroyed public and private properties.

In the first phase, the municipality will identify pathways of floods in Abu Nasheefa, Wadi Dhabaan and Wadi Al-Baqar and construct intersections and bridges to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. “We are currently implementing a number of anti-flood projects at a total cost of SR63 million. Some of these projects are 90 percent complete while others are in their initial stages,” he said.

Speaking about the rainwater drainage project, Al-Amry said a study on the scheme has been conducted by a consultant firm. “We have identified the areas where rainwater is usually accumulated and we have implemented a number of projects at a cost of SR58 million to remove the rainwater.”

The mayor said the municipality had tried to tackle floodwater problem in difficult and dangerous spots in order to ensure a smooth flow of traffic despite heavy rains. “These are temporary measures taken to prevent flooding,” he pointed out.

He said the anti-flood projects would help safeguard residential districts, industrial regions and public security housing units.

“We have carried out these projects in response to the proposals made by the main Civil Defense committee and a special panel that was set up to study the situation in Tabuk valleys.”