Okaz/Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH – A vast swamp in Al-Harazat District, east of Jeddah, which was created by heavy rains, has been threatening life of its people for the past four months. The swamp has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread contagious diseases including dengue fever.
People of Al-Harazat have been calling upon the municipality to end their suffering by emptying the lake but it has not yet taken any action, said Abdullah Al-Malki. “This shows the municipality’s negligence toward our district,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.
He said the swamp was created following heavy rains a couple of months back. “It’s located in the southern entrance of the district, close to Kilo 14 District,” he added.
Al-Malki urged the municipality to take immediate measures to empty the swamp, which has been causing environment pollution, threatening life of Al-Harazat residents. “People are also afraid of their children falling into the lake,” he added.
Khaled Al-Sulami attributed the delay in removing the lake from Al-Harazat to the negligence of Jeddah Municipality toward the district.
“The swamp has been threatening the life of citizens living in the district for the last four months. It also spreads nasty smell. We fear that our children could drown in its waters,” he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette.
Al-Sulami said the authorities would not move until some catastrophe occurs in the district. Then only they will address the problem and dry up the lake, he added.
Ali Al-Ghamdi also expressed his dismay over the municipality’s negligence.
“The municipality should have taken immediate measures to remove the swamp and protect the district’s environment from further pollution,” he explained. He also urged the municipality to spray insecticides to kill disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Saleh Al-Shahri said prominent personalities in the district had approached the municipality to remove water from the lake caused by rains in order to protect the health of citizens as well as to meet the district’s developmental requirements.
