Kuwait reels under floods
EMERGENCY MEASURES IN PLACE AS COUNTRY COMES TO A STANDSTILL
Life has come to a standstill for the past three days following heavy rainfall |
Kuwait is witnessing unstable weather conditions and heavy downpours in some areas. Forecasts indicate the instability will continue until this morning.
The Interior Ministry has warned that some roads were completely closed to traffic due to the heavy downpour, which left some of them flooded. Motorists have been advised to take alternative routes.
The Cabinet at an emergency meeting on Wednesday decided to suspend work at all ministries, state institutions, colleges and public and private schools yesterday as a precautionary measure. The Cabinet in a tweet spoke highly of the adherence by citizens and residents to all instructions and warnings by the relevant state agencies and departments.
According to reports, Kuwait experienced 245mm of rainfall over three days until Wednesday, breaking the 1997 record of 64.1mm.
A spokesperson for Kuwaiti Civil Defence said they had sheltered 148 persons in 29 hospitality flats in the Ahmadi governorate. “We rescued them after we received calls from them,” Jamal Al Fawdari, the spokesperson, said.
Life in the country has been at a standstill for the past three days following the unusually heavy downpour that, according to the meteorological department, was equal to Kuwait’s average annual rainfall.
The deluge has flooded tunnels, bridges and roads and damaged buildings in residential areas. Several vehicles have also been damaged by the deluge and the associated weather conditions. The failure of the sewage systems led to several cars being swept away.
Several agencies were mobilised to help with damagecontrol measures and rescue efforts. The army and National Guard were ordered to join in the rescue efforts.
The Interior Ministry has advised citizens and expatriates to avoid venturing out of their homes, even as the authorities attempted to deal with the situation. Road users were told to exercise the highest levels of caution due to hazardous driving conditions, traffic congestion and floods.
The rains have claimed one victim so far — Ahmad Fadhili. He drowned last Saturday while attempting to save his family.
Special rescue and monitoring centres were opened in flooded areas to shelter people and provide necessary assistance.
Beside the logistics, another issue that the authorities are currently grappling with is how to deal efficiently with fake news and allegations that are being circulated on social media, which have contributed towards creating an atmosphere of apprehension among citizens and expatriates.
Details and warnings
Several requests have been made to people to not fall for fake clips and pictures, and to only rely on official sources of information regarding weather conditions and the prevailing situation.
Kuwait television has aired programmes and news to keep viewers updated on the latest details of and warnings on the weather condition and statements from the authorities.
Politically, the first victims were officials at the Public Works Ministry, who have reportedly faced the ire of the public for having failed to deal with the challenges resulting from the unusual weather conditions.
Public Works Minister and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs, Hossam Al Roumi, has resigned.
Expressing “deep regret”
for the severe loss of property, Al Roumi said in a statement: “Everyone knows that I am new at the Ministry of Public Works and that I have exerted every effort to carry out my responsibilities in developing work, protecting public funds, combating corruption and working with my colleagues.
“Based on my moral responsibility and in support of the approach taken by His Highness the Prime Minister to assume the consequences of the heavy responsibility borne by the Government, I submitted my resignation,” the statement added.