“This drainage project will be completed within next two-and-a-half years,” said an official of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, on Thursday. He said that nearly 70 percent of the city lacks sufficient drainage.
Several other measures were also discussed during a meeting of municipal officials chaired by Riyadh Mayor Prince Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin Al-Ayyaf on Thursday.Asked about the details of the drainage project, spokesman for Riyadh Municipal Council Tarek Al-Qasabi said the project was a priority, but he could not provide more details.
Qasabi said the design and execution of the drainage project would commence soon. Qasabi said the Municipal Council has formed 200 teams that could be called on to help people in need during floods. These support teams would monitor conditions around the clock in the city’s 15 districts in the event of floods. He said that each team would be composed of 10 persons, mainly technicians and skilled rescuers.
At least two people died and one person was injured following torrential rains and hailstorms that struck Riyadh on Monday.
Roads, vehicles and properties were damaged in the unprecedented weather, which also led to around 275 accidents. Riyadh police said it had received 3,600 phone calls from members of the public. The authorities also rescued 155 people. One person remains missing. The nationalities of those who died have not been revealed.
