Kuwait ill-prepared to tackle heavy rains, flood, says poll
FOLLOWING the recent floods in Kuwait in which some people lost their lives, many have raised concerns about the country’s ability for crisis management. In this week’s online poll, Arab Times asked voters what they felt about Kuwait’s preparedness to face floods.
A majority of voters, 65%, said the infrastructure is not built to withstand floods. People said in the interviews that being a dry region, the country’s planners do not pay much attention to drains and sewer systems to ensure that floods don’t cause much havoc.
Respondents recalled floods in the past when there were many casualties as cars and people were washed away. In wetter regions, the volume of rainfall we faced in the recent flood would be considered normal. “However, it was nearly devastating for us, because the country is not built for it.”
Recounting experiences, respondents said that in many areas the water was hip deep. The roads were not seen and people moved to top floors for fear of the water level rising.
11% of the respondents said that floods in Kuwait are very rare and so it’s not a matter of great concern. Respondents in support of this point said it would be a waste of public funds if Kuwait built rainwater drains suitable for rainforests. The conditions here don’t demand that.
People don’t know what to do during floods, say 9 % of the voters, which exacerbates the problem. With proper warning systems and education, even the small toll that Kuwait suffered could be avoided. Road accidents, not flooding, were the cause of deaths.
Respondents suggested that probably Kuwait should have color codes to indicate the severity of the situation. Above a certain level of threat people should be prohibited from driving in certain areas.
About 8% of the voters blamed climate change for the floods. “Why blame the system, when the whole world is affected by these furies of nature, which we are not able to do much against.” They cited examples of Katrina and other cyclones, including the one that pounded the Philippines.
Respondents noted that we should begin to look at more fundamental changes such as reducing green-house gases, reducing our carbon footprint and so on, rather than harping on about widening our sewers.
A small percentage of voters, 3%, said that the focus should shift to rescue workers, who should be better trained. “We are well equipped to face disasters like fire, but need to gird up when it comes to water.”