Kuwait City – Kuwaiti Minister of Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Hussam Al-Roomi resigned amid torrential rain which lashed the country.
He assumed responsibility for the damages, expressing the deep regret of the citizens and residents’ losses due to the downpour.
“I have submitted my resignation to the Prime Minister, bearing my moral responsibility”, he said, adding that his move is in line the Government’s accountability approach.
The minister extended apologies to citizens and expatriates for the losses they had incurred, saying that he spared no efforts to preserve public funds, combat corruption and improve work procedures.
Heavy rains wreaked havoc across Kuwait, resulting in massive flooding of major highways, streets and neighbourhoods.
The National Guard was called in to help as roads and homes were flooded, vehicles submerged and emergency services stretched to the limit responding to flash floods in various parts of the country.
Kuwait has received 33.70 millimetres of rain within the last 24 hours, reported Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Meteorological Department with rain still failing as of 10pm local time. The semi-arid country typically receives around 21 millimetres of rainfall for the entire month of November.
The massive rainfall on Friday is the latest in a week of excessive rainfall. Last Monday night/Tuesday morning, Kuwait received around 58 millimetres of rain, more than a third of total annual average rainfall. The resultant flood, especially of major highways, tunnels and underpasses and the widespread damage caused to property including vehicles led to the sacking to several high ranking government officials in the public roads authority and the ministry of public works.
As of 10 pm Friday night, dozens of roads, neighbourhoods and areas of Kuwait were submerged under water with homes, vehicles and tens of thousands of dinars in property damage. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported.
The Interior Ministry issued a statement warning people to stay off the roads and avoid going out except in emergencies due to the extreme weather and flooding.