JEDDAH: The Civil Defense has prepared three emergency evacuation centers in Jeddah in response to predictions of heavy rains. The shelters are in the east, south and north of the city. The one in the east can accommodate over 21,800 people, the one in the north 8,800 and the facility in the south 15,600.
The Civil Defense has also put seven helicopters on standby, according to Brig. Ali Al-Qarni, director of Disaster Management in the city. The Civil Defense has warned residents to be extremely careful if heavy rains occur.
Al-Qarni said that 84 local committees had been formed to assess the losses in the floods. They had identified 59 Saudis and 35 foreigners among the 108 bodies recovered so far; 14 bodies are yet to be identified. The number of missing is officially put at 24. He added that search and cleanup operations in the area were continuing round the clock. The committees also reported 3,623 damaged buildings.
The Civil Defense teams would work in collaboration with the Jeddah municipality to monitor the developments in Musk Lake, he said. Warnings would be issued if there were a need to evacuate residents. Fifty cars fitted with special warning alarms had been made ready.
