Minister heads meeting to discuss ‘rains and floods’

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Call to clean critical drainage systems

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 10: The Minister of Public Works and Minister of Electricity and Water Dr. Amani Bouqammaz held a meeting with the Rain Committee in the presence of representatives of 15 government agencies with the aim of discussing the country’s preparations for the rainy season, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting informed sources. They explained that Minister Bouqammaz, during the first meeting she attended with the committee, listened to the visions presented by the various participating government agencies.

She stressed the need to ensure the effectiveness of the solutions developed in the past and the rate of their achievement, and to confirm their implementation in accordance with what was previously agreed upon. The minister also affirmed the importance of alternative plans to the plan currently in place to deal with emergency situations during the rainy season, and the importance of raising the state of alert in all relevant sectors and authorities. In a statement, the Rain Committee explained that the work carried out to deal with any expected repercussions was followed up.

An “emergency plan” was prepared for this purpose. Also, a presentation was given by representatives of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about their weather forecasts for the coming period. The committee confirmed its preparations, which began in July, through its work in the maintenance of rain drainage networks, cleaning of the water drainage lines and assessing their readiness. It revealed that nearly 95 percent of the work has been completed in the Capital Governorate and 85 percent in Jahra and Ahmadi Governorates.

The readiness rate in Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate has reached 60 percent. The committee said, “What is hindering the cleaning of rain sewers is the roots of the “Conocarpus”, especially in critical streets that get closed in less than 24 hours in Bidaa, Abu Al-Hasaniya, Mangaf and Bneid Al-Gar areas”. It proposed a permanent solution by laying the intake pumps, especially in times of high sea tide. The committee called for the need to prepare the water tanks in the residential area of Wafra and the residential city of Sabah Al-Ahmad and empty them in order for them to absorb the expected amounts of rain while maintaining the earthen berm to avoid the accumulation of waste. It called on Kuwait Municipality to remove all garbage and tree pruning remnants before the rainy period starts in order to avoid the clogging of the manholes.

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