The death toll resulting from the floods that wracked Jeddah earlier this week continues to rise. Reuters runs this report, also noting that there are still missing persons and that dozens more are expected to be among the dead.
Saudi floods death toll rises to 98
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) – The death toll from the heaviest rainfall to hit Saudi Arabia in years rose to 98 on Saturday as more bodies were recovered, with dozens more expected to be found, a rescue services spokesman said.
The victims were drowned or were killed by collapsing bridges and in car crashes when floodwaters caused by the torrential rainfall ripped through the Red Sea port city of Jeddah on Wednesday.
No pilgrims attending the annual Muslim haj pilgrimage 80 km (50 miles) away in Mecca were among the dead, officials have said. Jeddah is the main entry point to the kingdom for pilgrims.
Hundreds had to be rescued after being stranded by the floods, with access to the city hampered after two bridges on the highway leading to Jeddah were destroyed.
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Arab News is not just running stories of heroic rescues and rapid repairs. There are pieces in today’s edition noting not only the ‘knock-on’ economic damages of the floods, but raising questions about responsibility and demands for punishment for those who allowed this disaster to happen. The piece also points out that the pools of water left from the flood provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, the carriers of Dengue Fever, itself an issue for the Jeddah municipality.
Questions in the wake of rains in Jeddah
Tariq A. Al-Maeena | talmaeena@aol.comJeddah residents, accustomed to watching their roads and streets being dug up and destructed for over two decades, all with public sector officials promising a state-of-the art water and sewage drainage system have come in for a nasty shock.
Rains that could be aptly described as brief showers in most parts of the world have tragically claimed the lives of 77 people, according to latest reports. Many more have been injured or displaced in a place that not long ago was touted as “an important city on the economic map and playing a significant role in achieving sustained progress for the Kingdom.”
The mayor himself at the time stated: “The city plans to attract more people for education, tourism, work, residence and entertainment in an atmosphere of exuberance and security. It remains the focal point for pilgrims and visitors to Islam’s two most sacred mosques. Jeddah has a diversified economic base and deep-rooted trade traditions that will make it a unique international trade and tourist center. The city is determined to achieve and maintain its sustainable development.”
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The paper also reports on public dissatisfaction as conveyed through the pages of Facebook. From the various quotes in the article, it seems that people are not going to be accepting the excuse of ‘Act of God’ for the disaster. The rain certainly was a natural event, outside the control of anyone. The steps taken—or, not taken—to mitigate the harm, however, lie in the realm of human culpability. UPDATE: Agence France Presse also reports on the Facebook phenomenon, stating that over 11,000 Saudis have signed on to complain.
Saudi Facebook group vents anger over flood
Hassna’a Mokhtar | Arab NewsJEDDAH: Following Wednesday’s devastating floods in Jeddah, which left a trail of death and destruction, there is growing anger among residents at the state of the city’s infrastructure.
Some are even threatening to sue the municipality for damages, claiming the flash flooding was a direct result of municipal negligence. A group calling itself the “National Campaign to Save the City of Jeddah” has established an Arabic-language Facebook profile calling for action to ensure the city is never flooded again.
Thousands have rushed to join the group since it was set up on Thursday. By 5 p.m. on Friday, 6,191 Facebook users had joined the group. Thirty minutes later, 153 more people had joined.
“What we witnessed made it clear beyond any doubt that the city of Jeddah is in urgent need to be saved,” the group said on its page.
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Saudi Gazette/Okaz report that the Governor of the region, Pr. Khaled Al-Faisal, has called for a top-to-bottom investigation of how this happened. Pr. Khaled is noted as a ‘do-er’ in Saudi Arabia, not one to just take a laissez faire attitude toward problems, so this might actually result in needed changes.
Sadly, a Saudi Civil Defense official is quoted as saying that it was an Act of God and no one is responsible. He’s partially right: no one is responsible as many had to fail in their duties to end up with this tragedy.
UPDATE: Associated Press is reporting on the rising death count:
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November:29:2009 - 04:46
It’s getting worse. The Civil Defense are looking for volunteer scuba divers to help with the rescue and salvage efforts. There are also increasing chatter that the Adil Fakih (the municipal mayor) is the most likely scape goat for the disaster.
November:29:2009 - 07:45
It’s my understanding that there are areas much worse than the photos we are seeing. Entire neighborhoods flattened, washed into piles of rubble. And most likely a much higher death count.
I also heard, like M, that Adil Fakih will be the scapegoat- it seems to me, that the last several municipal mayors as well as others are also culpable. I’m hoping this disaster is the catalyst for some real change.
November:29:2009 - 08:50
I don’t doubt that the death toll will be higher. The lack of photos of the slums, though, might be an artifact rather than intentional. The photos I’ve seen so far are taken by young guys with cameras, in their neighborhoods. How many cameras are there in the other areas, though?
Of course, I don’t get Saudi TV and can’t tell what it’s covering. A lack of photos there might lead to different conclusions.
November:29:2009 - 10:26
I don’t think it’s intentional. It just means it’s worse than we think.
Governor Pr. Khalid al Faisal is going to investigate? Hmmm.
November:29:2009 - 17:00
It seems there is enough national and international attention to encourage more correction of the problem than just finding scapegoats though that is usual in a crisis situation.
November:29:2009 - 23:47
I heard Pr. Khalid Al Faisal on Saudi T.V. in the car on the way to lunch. A female reporter asked, “Can I ask you a question in English?” I laughed at his answer, (it was smart though). He said, “Well I speak Arabic better.”. The reporter paused for a few moments and contructed the question in Arabic. We were getting out of the car. It must have been a good question cause my husband stayed in the car to hear the answer.
And to M and all the people on facebook I say “Crank that Soulja Boy”
November:30:2009 - 00:04
Also although I do understand that Soulja boy is a little outdated, people still are cranking it. For an instructional video on how you can crank it here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLGLum5SyKQ&feature=fvst
November:30:2009 - 00:23
Also sorry for hogging any space here… oink oink!
Sparky is just turning her swag on…
November:30:2009 - 09:05
Rumour is that the damn at Musk lake is cracking and expected to break. Am trying to find out something more than rumour- but so far all the rumours I heard this week are true…sadly… this will be absolutely disastrous if true.
December:02:2009 - 02:40
The “QUESTIONS” are in very high-tide on ‘RAIN’ but my ‘DRAIN’ is the lapses in COMMUNICATION this is the biggest blunder then anything else – the responsible GEOLOGICAL SURVEY not forecast the possibilities of HEAVY RAIN if also informed why at first stance the administration not feel – responsible to inform and communicate citizen. I feel there is no scape-goat on this issue and still lot of rumors are circulating of some more showers if it is right what preventive measures and controlls on way to safe rather then investigations after devastation.