Addressing a meeting of the executive committee to tackle Jeddah floods, Prince Khaled called for furnishing the 16 support centers immediately. The locations of the centers have already been identified.
During the meeting officials presented detailed reports on the works already completed as well as those in progress. The committee discussed the need to supply necessary equipment and materials required for confronting emergency situations.
Nesma holding company has won 12 of 14 emergency projects to tackle Jeddah floods by diverting floodwater. The contract was worth SR795 million. Two projects in Umm Al-Khair and Samir neighborhoods east of Al-Haramain Expressway have been granted to another company.
More than 140 people were killed in floods that struck Jeddah in November 2009 and January 2011.
During the meeting, the National Water Company made a presentation on the measures taken to deal with surface and underground water.
“We have identified 18 areas that require establishment of a network to reduce underground water levels,” a company statement said.
The company has also conducted studies on reducing water levels in four flood-prone districts in the city in the event of heavy rains.
The Jeddah municipality gave a presentation on the progress of works in Um Al-Khair and Samir districts, two of the worst-hit areas during the last flooding.
The Civil Defense said it was in the process of furnishing the support centers with necessary equipment and materials.
“At present we have moved the equipment and manpower used for the Haj operation to deal with emergency situations,” a Civil Defense official said.
The meeting discussed how to coordinate between the consulting firm that is conducting studies to tackle floods in Jeddah and the Jeddah Service and Development Company in order to avoid duplication of work.
ICOM international company won the public tender to provide all services for project management, initiating primary engineering works and oversee the radical implementation of the urgent and durable solutions to Jeddah’s flooding problem.
