Flood in ‘Mubarakiya’ stirs panic – Old market misery continues

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KUWAIT CITY, Dec 29: During the period between April 2022 and December 2022, the old Souk Mubarakiya area underwent a difficult year, and the effects still continue, reports Al-Rai daily. With the memories of the fire that broke out in several parts of the old market continuing to remain fresh and with the delay in the reconstruction and restoration of the remaining structure after the fire, the recent rains flooded the area and corridors of the market after the rain drainage system overflowed. This caused panic among the concerned authorities and they immediately removed the water and addressed the defect.

On Tuesday night after a rainstorm, the Mubarakiya market witnessed flooding in parts of the old market. Since this area is considered as Kuwait’s touristic front that attracts everyone who visits Kuwait, it prompted three government agencies, namely the Ministry of Public Works, the Capital Municipality, and the Environment Public Authority, to carry out an inspection campaign in the market on Wednesday. Citations were issued by the environmental officers for various violations.

The inspection campaign was launched as a result of the effects of the heavy rain, and exposed violations on the part of some restaurant owners who had poured oil into the sewage networks, causing the formation of solid blocks that led to blockages in the water drainage system. On Tuesday night, part of the market was subjected to flooding, and pools of water had formed during the peak time in the market. This doubled the problem and caused damages to the stalls. Patrons of Al-Dalalwa Café on Al-Gharabally Street faced problems in reaching their favorite place, as pools of water had formed in the place.

This became a source of ridicule from the café’s visitors, who posted pictures of the situation on social media. Inside the “green” market, the water drainage channels were blocked, leading to an overflow and fountains of water along the market. This led the shopkeepers to remove the water so that their small shops would not get flooded.

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