KAU was flooded by the heavy rains, which destroyed the library, damaged a number of buildings and disrupted teaching and learning schedules.
A number of them told Arab News they are learning how to protect themselves against hazards that might be caused by the rains and floods and deal with moments of danger.
They said they experienced unprecedented fear during the rains of 2009 and 2011 and many of them believed that they were very close to death. They said they did not want a repetition of that experience, so they started to take steps to protect themselves.
Hadeel, a third year student, said she was keen this year to be armed with a life vest to help her swim her way out of the university to the nearest safe place if necessary. "I also started to memorize the safe roads and places which I can use when the rain falls," she said.
Hadeel blamed the university for leaving them alone during the past rain crises and not providing them with any assistance. "The building and section supervisors would suddenly disappear at the first drop of rain, leaving us to fend for ourselves," she said.
Hadeel noted that even the university buildings were not built to withstand the rains and floods. "These buildings smelt of burning because of electric fires. The roofs of some of them fell down. The level of water was increasing. We were cold and scared," she said, adding that she was determined never to relive the experiences of the past two years.
Sara Al-Fihaid, a fourth year student, said she suffered a lot during the rain and flood crises and did not want a repeat experience. "Despite its immense resources and huge budget provided by the government, the university is incapable of dealing with any real natural disaster," she said.
Al-Fihaid said though the rains and floods of the past two years were not catastrophic like the cyclones and devastating floods seen in other countries, the university was not prepared to deal with even a very little amount of rain. "There was no one to help us. We were left to fend for ourselves," she lamented.
She accused the security guards and the supervisors of not doing anything to help the students. "The supervisors did not only refuse to help us but also prevented us from leaving the classrooms," she said.
Al-Fihaid said she was sitting her exams when the rains hit this year. "The supervisor refused to let us leave the examination hall and told us bluntly that it was better to die in the university than outside. This was very terrifying," she said.
She said she has prepared herself for the worst that might be caused by any possible rain this year.
Nada Al-Tuwaijri, a second year student, said she has learned much about life-saving techniques in times of disaster. She said she was on her way from the students' hostel to the examination hall when the floods struck in January this year.
"I was feverish and terrified. I saw the students running toward the university's main gate but they then stopped, fearing what would happen if they dared to leave the premises," she said.
Al-Tuwaijri said she called her father and asked him to come and collect her, but he said it was impossible for him to reach her and advised her to go to the nearest safe place. "I walked for five hours in the water to reach the students' hostel where I stayed for two days before the roads became passable."
She said she is constantly checking the weather this time to find out the possibility of rains so she would stay at home.
"I have also learned the roads and the safe buildings to go to if it rains heavily like last year. I do not trust the university any more in times of calamity. The university is not prepared to face any serious situation or do anything to save students," she said.
