DOZENS of tankers and pumps were deployed across the country as heavy rains and thunderstorms caused floods and chaos on roads yesterday.
Emergency teams from different ministries worked together to streamline traffic and help motorists as trees were uprooted in several parts and roads were inundated by 2pm.
Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak and other senior officials inspected areas that were flooded, and instructed teams to quickly clear the rain water and remove billboards that had collapsed on roads.
Motorists had a tough time as they were stuck for hours in traffic as the kingdom experienced its first heavy downpour after months of intense summer. Several vehicles either broke down or were partially submerged in water.
Civic authorities deployed tankers on standby across the four governorates to assist in clearing water logged areas.
“We are working with relevant teams and ministries to ensure roads are cleared and people’s lives are not disrupted because of the rain,” said Southern Municipal Council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif.
Many areas in the Southern and Northern Governorates were plunged into darkness by noon as clouds gathered amidst strong gusts that battered the country.
Citizens and residents took to social media to post videos of their flooded neighbourhoods and requested authorities to intervene and clear the blocks.
The GDN received videos of waterlogging in Demistan, A’ali, Janabiya, Salmabad and Manama.
The Meteorological Directorate called upon the public to exercise caution while the Interior Ministry urged motorists to adhere to traffic rules while driving in the rain.
The Electricity and Water Authority urged people not to touch lampposts for their own safety.
“Falling objects should be firmly fixed at buildings and individuals should stay away from trees and billboards,” stated an advisory by the Interior Ministry. “For assistance, call the emergency hotline, 999,” it added.
Traffic police were deployed at major highways to ensure smooth flow of vehicles and guide drivers.
A few drivers, however, claimed that they had to wait for more than two hours at key junctions before it was cleared.
“I waited for more than an hour to finally get out of Tubli because there was the usual weekend rush coupled with the rainwater everywhere,” said Bahraini Abdulla Jameel, a resident of Janabiya.
A British expat shared her experience of picking up her two grandchildren, aged 17 and 14, from their school in Isa Town.
“The Educational Area in Isa Town was totally flooded with traffic at a standstill,” the woman, who did not want to be identified, told the GDN. “The children’s shoes were full of water and trousers wet up to the knees.”
Bahrain Bus announced that their services would be delayed due to the adverse weather conditions, especially in Buri.
To report excessive rainfall on internal roads across the four governorates, citizens and residents have been urged to contact the following emergency numbers: 80008188 (Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture), Electricity and Water Authority (17515555) and Works Ministry (17545544).
Last month, the Works Ministry’s rain emergency team had discussed communication methods and identification of points of contact as preparations for rainy season were reviewed.
The Meteorological Directorate said that weather today is likely to be partly cloudy with a chance of scattered rain at times, with maximum temperature of 31C.
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