A RENEWED ‘drive according to the conditions’ appeal has been made to motorists as efforts continue across Bahrain to ensure road safety as bursts of thundery rain are set to continue lashing down on the country until tomorrow.
The General Traffic Directorate deployed officers to help organise traffic movements across the governorates while pleading with drivers to adhere to speed limits, keep a safe distance between vehicles, as well as stop swaying between lanes.
Motorists were also urged to remain focused on the road while ensuring they overtake correctly as the country experiences more crashes, bangs and crunches as cars slide into each other.
“Driving tips during the rain include making sure the brakes and windshield wipers are working and be careful of other people’s mistakes,” added the General Traffic Directorate in an awareness video posted yesterday.
“Avoid driving on the edge of the road, use low beam headlights, leave a safe distance between vehicles and drive slowly.”
According to the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry’s Meteorological Directorate, unsettled showers – which could become thundery at times – are expected today and tomorrow as unsettled weather is set to continue.
The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) also advised pedestrians to refrain from touching street lighting poles to avoid the risk of electrical shock.
Tankers have been deployed to clear waterlogged neighbourhoods with people in affected areas urged to contact the general hotline 80008188.
Precautionary measures implemented prior to the rainy season have aided in protecting previously water-logged areas at risk of flooding such as Al Lawzi, said area councillor and Northern Municipal Council’s Services and Public Utilities chairwoman Zainab Al Durazi.
“Water suction efforts in Malkiya, Karzakan and Al Lawzi continue in full swing,” she said.
“Waterlogging that was previously disastrous in Al Lawzi is significantly less this year due to the newly-installed rain-water drainage channels. However, there is still some waterlogging in Malkiya’s Blocks 1033 and 1934 and Zaid Bin Omaira Road in Karzakan that are being tackled.
“Joint efforts are continuous between the government agencies and the Civil Defence and the Northern Municipality with pumps fully operational.”
The Information and eGovernment Authority has urged people to report flooding through the ‘Fix2go’feature on the Tawasul app.
The GDN previously reported that equipped teams are on standby to tackle emergencies caused by heavy rain and more than 200 workers have been assigned to the task by the Works Ministry and the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry to deal with waterlogging.
Around 100 pumps and power generators have also been distributed across the four governorates to ensure any deluge doesn’t become an even greater dampening disaster.
“Preliminary indications confirm that the situation is normal and the process of dealing with rain – especially in locations that have witnessed cases of flooding in previous rainy seasons – are proceeding according to the specified procedures,” said Northern Municipal Council chairman Dr Sayed Shubbar Al Wedaei.
“Technical specifications in place have facilitated the flow of rainwater in the drainage channels as well as the suction of rain from the main and internal roads.
“One of the biggest causes of disruption to the sewage network and flooding into homes is individuals violating the law and removing the cover of channels which is a punishable offence.”
There will be a further chill in the air in the coming days with temperatures dropping to 13C on Saturday.
reem@gdnmedia.bh
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