Al-Kharj governor slams construction in valleys

By Abdullah Al-Ghamdi and Abdullah Al-Jiraidan RIYADH — Al-Kharj Governor Shbaily Al-Qarni in a strongly-worded statement said officials allowing commercial construction in valleys should be reprimanded as the government took stock of situation in the rain-hit areas. Al-Qarni said commercial construction projects and not governmental ones were executed in valleys. These construction projects should have never been approved. Over the years, these projects were turned into residential units that are now occupied by residents who were in grave danger during the floods. Such a mistake must be reprimanded and the officials must be penalized for it. The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs announced the rains that lashed Riyadh, Asir and the Eastern Province were abnormal and the ministry has put in place a strategy to prevent flooding disasters, according to a source. “The rain caused many people to be trapped outside of their homes. Electricity was disrupted in many cities in the Kingdom, while the rains in Asir surpassed the international standard. The people of the affected area are tired of their municipalities and governorates being ill-prepared for such weather conditions,” said the source. “The Emir of Riyadh Prince Faisal Bin Bandar was appointed by the king to check on Al-Kharj Governorate after the floods it endured. The Emir of Asir promised to penalize the officials for the losses and damages of the floods,” said the source. Al-Kharj governor said the houses that were damaged by the floods were built on valleys. “Some of the citizens have built or bought houses on valleys which is not a safe location to build a house due to the floods. The governorate has submitted a proposal to the Emir of Riyadh to penalize the contractors that allowed for the building of houses on valleys,” said Al-Qarni. He added the prince visited Al-Kharj Governorate and reported that the municipalities are repairing the damages and that the situation is under control. “The prince did urge for a meeting with the governorate to chalk out the emergency and preventive plan for the current situation and for future situations. Some of the damages caused were due to construction flaws, some were due to violations committed and other damages were simply natural and not manmade,” said Al-Qarni. He also said the municipalities, governorates and the Civil Defense directorates are working together to control current and future damage. Riyadh Emir Prince Faisal Bin Bandar said some of the roads were damaged due to the heavy rain but the damage is under control. “I visited Al-Kharj, Al-Dalm, Naajan and Al-Dhibaia governorates and met with the area’s governor, Civil Defense director and the head of the electricity company. We reviewed the topography of the area and studied the various valleys there. The pertinent authorities will implement a preventive plan to mitigate the damage of future floods,” said the prince.