Water shortage hits Madinah

Citizens and residents have been queuing up for hours in sweltering heat at the Qubaa water station for water following a shortage in some neighborhoods in Madinah.
Nasser Al-Suhaimi, a citizen, told Arab News: “I have been here since early morning and have been waiting my turn to get a water tanker. But the staff in charge at the point of sale informed me that they had run out of numbers and asked me to return in the evening. There has been a random distribution of numbers. Why should citizens have to wait for hours in the heat?” Al-Suhaimi urged officials to solve the water crisis end the suffering of the people.
Khaled Al-Lahiabi, another citizen, said: “I live in Al-Harrah East district where water has been cut off for several days. Water trucks outside the government regional water stations are priced at about SR 350 per large turck, SR 200 for a medium one, and up to SR 120 for a small truck. We have to queue at the Directorate of Water for water trucks because at least prices are fixed. The severe overcrowding angered many citizens especially when they ran out of numbers.”
Another man, Mohammed Alowri, called for price controls on all water trucks by the government. “We are now only at the beginning of summer. How bad will the situation get in the intense summer heat with an increased demand for water," he wondered.
Musa Abdullah, a citizen, said: “There are a number of brokers selling water trucks in front of the station, taking advantage of the congestion and charging citizens high prices. A number of citizens buy from these brokers to avoid the long wait.”
Director General of Water in Madinah Saleh Al-Jabalawy promised the authorities would solve the situation within days.