Kuwait gov’t bodies mobilized to deal with heavy rainfall

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KUWAIT, Nov 9 (KUNA) — Kuwait government bodies have been mobilized amidst heavy rainfall in the country Friday evening, fully prepared to help either people stranded, make traffic as smooth as possible to offering medical assistance.

Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor said it was opening its halls, originally used for social occasions, to allow people stranded in streets to seek shelter until weather improves.
Hanaa Al-Hajri, Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development, said the ministry would be opening halls in areas of Saad Al-Abdullah, Al-Naseem, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Ardhiya, Firdous, Omariya, Farwaniya and Al-Herbesh.

She told KUNA the other halls were in areas of Khaitan, Jee’an, Qabazard, Salmiya, Sabah Al-Salem, Jaber Al-Ali, Sabahiya, Reqqa, Bader Al-Mohammad, Qurain, Nasser Al-Mohammad, Al-Shallahi, Sabah Al-Jaber, Martyr Fahad Al-Ahmad, Fahad Al-Ahmad, Abdullah Al-Mubarak and Mishref.
Ministry of Health said it was activating the emergency plan with full staff on alert.

Ministry Undersecretary Dr. Mustafa Redha said doctors, nursing staff and paramedics were doing their best to deal with aftermath of heavy rainfall.

Speaking to KUNA, Redha called on the public to stay indoors. Director of Ambulance Services at the Minister Jassem Al-Foderi said the ministry received 278 calls for cases mostly about asthma, heart diseases and house calls.

He confirmed readiness of emergency departments at all hospitals were ready, and the ministry was in contact with interior ministry, fire department and civil defense to coordinate action.
Kuwait Army and National Guard also announced mobilization to deal with heavy rainfall.

The National Guard said it was upgrading readiness to Level Two, which means mobilization of 50 percent of forces.

Six National Guard teams were formed to support government departments deal with impacts of rain, like dealing with swamps and secure smooth traffic.

The army said forces were at Farwaniya and Adan Hospitals as well as Ahmadi Bridge and Manqaf Area to remove rain water.

Kuwait Municipality also activated emergency plan in all six governorates.

It added in a statement teams were ready to help remove rain water in residential areas and major roads, in addition to removing falling trees and large quantities of sand.

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah said the government was following up closely the situation across the country amid the unstable weather conditions and heavy rains.

There are direct instructions to all ministries to take necessary measures to maintain safety of citizens and their properties, His Highness the Prime Minister said.
Officials who will not fulfill their duties well, will be held accountable, he vowed.

In conference call with the concerned ministers, His Highness the Premier affirmed the necessity of making sure that all government bodies are ready to deal with the current weather conditions.

Earlier in the day, the Interior Ministry urged motorists to be cautious enough while driving on roads during heavy rains hitting the country.

The motorists also are advised to leave an enough space ahead of other vehicles, as well as avoid sudden stops.

Meteorologist Abdulaziz Al-Qerawi said Kuwait was witnessing an unstable weather associated with scattered thunderous rains expected to run until Sunday morning.

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