Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar has refuted media reports that there have been changes to emergency plans related to possible flooding during the current Haj season. Recent forecasts have predicted possible light-to-medium rains.

Speaking to Arab News, Al-Bar said certain plans were already in place to deal with emergencies in general, including rains and floods. The plans were worked out in coordination with concerned parties such as the Civil Defense and the Ministry of Transport, he said.

He said contracts for maintenance of water disposal networks in Makkah and other Holy Sites were operational. The validity of the contracts ranges between 3 and 5 years, he said.

Referring to other projects aimed at serving pilgrims during the current Haj season, he said the 4th Ring Road is being implemented by the Makkah municipality which links the holy sites with the old Jeddah-Makkah Road. The new road will open next week.

Concerning new cleaning contracts, he said the existing Makkah cleaning contract would expire in five months and, hence, new contracts were being offered which are divided into five contracts to cover different geographical areas of Makkah and the holy sites.

Al-Bar said some 2,500 tons of waste are expected to be removed every day from Makkah on normal days. In Arafat and Mina, the volume of waste is expected to rise to 10,000 and 8,000 tons per day, respectively, he said.

Moreover, there will be an initial separation of organic waste, which causes pollution to the environment, and other solid wastes (paper, plastic containers) which have to be compressed and stored in ground stores in Mina. Organic wastes will be removed from the holy sites on a continuing basis, he said.