The projects are expected to be delivered in mid-November.
According to JSDP’s timeline, work is being finalized in 14 sites located in Jeddah tunnels and street intersections. Work is also being carried at the Um Al-Khayr and Al-Samer dams, which were severely damaged during the last rainy season.
Ahmed Al-Sulaim, JSDP’s general manager, clarified that the purpose of these urgent solutions projects was to develop the areas that witnessed great damages last year as a result of rainfall and floods. “The urgent solutions come within the context of the permanent solutions, which fall into JSDP’s 3-year plan to improve Jeddah’s infrastructure,” Al-Sulaim added.
All parties involved in JSDP, which include the Makkah governorate, Jeddah municipality, the Civil Defense and other governmental entities, are ready and on standby to offer the needed procedures to ensure the safety of all citizens and residents in case of any rainfall risks.
“Current and new drainage and sewage systems are established and developed as part of the urgent solutions projects. Protection dams are also under construction alongside the surrounding eastern mountains, which are located at a higher level than Jeddah, to prevent the flooding of neighborhoods and streets,” Al-Sulaim stated.
“We are currently working on Um Al-Khayr dam, which cracked last year and caused all of the floods, and linking it with the northern drainage channel through a spillway. We are also developing a drainage channel of approximately 2.9 km long to link Al-Samer dam with the northern drainage channel. Only 18 days separate us from the deadline of accomplishing the urgent solutions that aim to reduce any potential damage that is expected this rainy season,” Al-Sulaim added.
He pointed out that advanced equipment has been delivered through shipments to King Abdulaziz Airport and Jeddah’s seaport. New, permanent pumps will be installed in tunnels to prevent them from filling up during rains, whereas mobile, temporary pumps will help in preventing water puddle formations in different areas.”
Al-Sulaim ensured that work was being carried on 24/7. “Cleaning and maintenance of the sewage network is currently in process. Water pump stations in tunnels are also being checked and will be finalized on time as per JSDP’s schedule for urgent solutions,” he added.
