Kuwait starts clean-up operations
Kuwait government to probe officials who failed in their duties, assesses relief steps
Emergency cabinet session convenes to assess flood relief operations and fix responsibilities; Jordan toll rises to 12 |
Kuwait has switched to clean-up mode as it grapples with the terrible aftermath of last week’s heavy downpour that killed one person.
The health ministry said the man, aged 30, was swept away by the flooding as he tried to rescue his family from their home which was submerged in water.
The Kuwait cabinet held an emergency session late yesterday. Prime Minister Shaikh Jaber Mubarak Al Sabah chaired the meeting and said that officials will be investigated and those who failed in their duties to prevent the flooding will be held accountable.
“The cabinet is keenly following consequences, as well as measures being taken by all concerned government entities in a bid to ensure the safety of citizens and expatriates,” Anas Al Saleh, deputy premier and minister of state for cabinet affairs, said earlier in a press release.
Bahrain and Oman offered their assistance and support in telephone calls yesterday to their Kuwaiti counterpart. They both offered their wishes of safety and security to all the people living in the country, Kuwait News Agency said.
Health Minister Shaikh Basel Al Sabah said the emergency plan would remain operational until the country is ■ ■ back to its normal situation.
The education ministry said that schools would normally reopen today. However, the ministry said some schools could remain closed until safety is fully guaranteed.
In the Gulf region, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar were also affected by the rains while in the Middle East region Jordan and Palestine were also reeling from the downpour.
In Jordan the death toll from flash floods rose to 12 yesterday and the kingdom’s main tourist attraction, the ancient city of Petra, was closed for cleanup after what local officials said was the biggest deluge in the area in decades.
Friday’s floods struck several areas of Jordan. Rescuers continued the search for missing people around the Wala reservoir in central Jordan yesterday.