By Abdul Kareem Al-Diyabi
Okaz/Saudi Gazette
TAIF – The committee that was set up to find the causes behind the recent Taif deluge has reportedly implicated Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) for the catastrophe as it allegedly delayed implementation of a flood prevention project in the city’s Aqeeq district. The company has told Taif municipality that the shifting of electricity lines from the project site required SR1 million and the municipality agreed to pay the amount now.
Okaz/Saudi Gazette has learnt that the committee would present its report to Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal shortly, explaining the reasons behind the flood.
The committee pointed out that the floodwater drainage canal was closed on the side of Bin Suwailem as it did not allow passage for even one cubic meter of water as the project was incomplete for 6,000 cubic meters from the Millennium Square.
Sources said the electricity company had explained the danger posed in shifting the high voltage line, adding it would lead to power supply being cut off from Aqeeq residents for several days.
The report also pointed out that the deluge did not come from valley; it came from mountains and headed toward Aziziya, Ghamir and Shuala areas, the report said.
It referred to a number of mountain passes inside the city and demanded special drainage projects for them. It also pointed out that the flood drainage system in Mutanazah district was weak due to the presence of plants that prevent large-scale drainage of water.
The governorate set up the committee following the flood that inundated the summer resort. The committee, headed by Saad Al-Maimouni, chief administrator of Taif, included representatives from the municipality, police and water and electricity ministry.
The municipality, meanwhile, cleaned the Aqeeq district and Al-Jaish Street, which were hit by the flood. Okaz/Saudi Gazette saw a large number of workers taking part in the cleaning operation.
Ismail Ibrahim, spokesman of the municipality, said his organization removed two million cubic meters of water from the flood-hit areas and deployed 30 teams to contain aftermath of heavy rains.
