Streets to streams - Downpour disrupts Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, March 26: Severe weather conditions continue to grip Kuwait, as heavy rainfall triggers widespread flooding, forces major road closures, and prompts urgent safety directives from multiple government agencies. Large parts of the country have been inundated following intense downpours, with waterlogging reported in low-lying areas and key traffic routes.

Emergency teams remain on high alert as authorities race to manage the fallout and ensure public safety. The Ministry of Interior urged citizens and residents to exercise caution, confirming the closure of several major roads and access points due to dangerous water accumulation. According to the ministry, King Abdulaziz Al-Saud Road (Fahaheel) from Kuwait City has been shut, with traffic diverted to the Sixth Ring Road toward Jahra. Vehicles heading toward Kuwait City are being rerouted via Al-Taawon Street toward Al-Bidaa Roundabout.

Additional traffic measures include directing motorists from Al-Taawon Street toward the Musayel intersection to turn right onto King Abdulaziz Road, while the rightside branches of the Sixth Ring Road from Jahra toward King Abdulaziz Road (Fahaheel) have also been closed. Authorities stressed that residents should remain at home unless necessary, adhere strictly to traffic regulations, and follow instructions from security personnel. The emergency hotline (112) remains fully operational to handle reports and emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Works continues to raise its level of preparedness to the maximum in view of the ongoing heavy rains by deploying emergency teams in different parts of the country to monitor the situation and promptly deal with water accumulations. In an interview with Kuwait TV, Undersecretary of the ministry Eid Al-Rashidi affirmed that the Central Operations Unit closely monitored water accumulation sites in all governorates throughout the day. He said the emergency teams were deployed with the necessary machinery and equipment to guarantee immediate response to any incident, thereby, supporting efforts to maintain smooth traffic flow and reduce the adverse impacts of the weather conditions. Al-Rashidi stated that the ministry is currently coordinating with other concerned government entities to address problems, particularly in areas witnessing rising water levels.

He indicated that efforts have been concentrated on unclogging water drainage and preventing road closures. Additionally, Director of the Operations Unit at the ministry Fares Al-Duqbasi described the rainfall as “exceptional”, compared to the usual levels, citing the heavy downpours over a short period, compounded by challenges in accurately forecasting the amount of rain.

Earlier, the Ministry of Public Works confirmed that emergency teams have been deployed around the clock at critical locations to deal with the impact of the heavy rain. Official spokesperson Ahmed Al- Saleh said inspection tours were conducted across multiple areas to ensure roads remain clear of water accumulation. He urged motorists to exercise caution and vigilance while driving under unstable weather conditions. Al-Saleh also highlighted the importance of proper disposal of construction debris and regular pruning of trees in designated areas, warning that neglected waste and loose branches could block drainage systems and reduce their efficiency. He called on the public to ignore rumors and rely only on official sources for updates, confirming ongoing coordination with the General Directorate for Civil Defense.

Residents were advised to report water accumulation through the ministry’s Hotline (150) or official communication channels. The Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) also urged the public to fully abide by the preventive and safety guidelines during the rainy season and flash floods to protect lives and properties in view of the unstable weather conditions. In a press statement, KFF underscored the need for everyone to stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary to go out, as well as the need to avoid sea and land travel during this period due to the danger posed by heavy rains. It emphasized the importance of maintaining the safety and proper insulation of electrical wiring to prevent accidents caused by water leaks. Regular maintenance and cleaning of rainwater drainage systems were also highlighted to prevent water accumulation. In parallel, the Public Authority for Manpower urged companies to temporarily suspend outdoor work due to the unstable weather.

Businesses engaged in delivery, construction, and other outdoor operations were instructed to halt activities to safeguard workers, with operations to resume once conditions improve. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry also called on delivery companies to postpone receiving orders during the adverse weather, emphasizing the need to protect delivery personnel. The ministry noted that normal operations can resume once the situation stabilizes. Authorities across the board reiterated that public safety remains the top priority, urging full cooperation from residents and businesses as Kuwait continues to deal with the effects of the severe weather system. On Thursday, the Meteorological Department has forecast that the country will experience unstable weather with scattered thunderstorms and heavy winds until Friday morning, with a chance of fog forming in the evening towards the end of the week.

The acting Director of the department, Dhirar Al-Ali, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that rainfall will range from moderate to heavy in some areas, sometimes accompanied by hail, with strong and active winds at times causing high sea waves. Al-Ali indicated that the weather conditions will improve from Friday morning, with chances of fog forming in some areas during the evening and early morning hours. He explained that the weather during the day on Friday will be warm with moderate winds and some high clouds appearing. At night, it will be slightly cool with scattered clouds and a chance for fog formation in some areas. On Saturday, it will be warm during the day with moderate winds and some scattered clouds, while at night it will be slightly cool with scattered clouds and a chance of light fog forming in some areas.

By Mohammed Ghanem Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies