An urgent message has been sent to the Works Ministry to act swiftly in cleaning and preparing rainwater drains ahead of the upcoming rainy season.
The SOS by Muharraq Municipal Council member Mohammed Al Meghawi, whose constituency covers Hidd and East Hidd Town, comes as the country’s weather forecast shows that it could rain during the week.
Delays in clearing the drains could lead to significant damage, said the councillor yesterday. “We must act now, before it’s too late,” he said.
“Neglecting proper maintenance of rainwater drainage systems was a major cause of the problems faced by residents during the heavy rain in April last year,” he added.
“The failure to adequately clean and prepare the drains led to water accumulating in multiple blocks and streets across the country and in particular in Hidd and East Hidd Town.
“Water even seeped into homes, causing significant distress to residents and damaging their properties, furniture and valuable appliances.”
Mr Al Meghawi stressed the importance of taking preventive measures to avoid repeating last year’s issues.
“As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure,” he pointed out.
“The first step in prevention is to clean the rainwater drains of debris and ensure their proper functioning.”
He also underlined the need to swiftly address issues with certain roads to ensure the smooth flow of rainwater into the drains and out to the sea without obstruction.
“It’s essential to verify the efficiency of these systems to prevent waterlogging and potential damage,” said Mr Al Meghawi.
He highlighted the high cost of compensating citizens for damages caused by rainwater flooding, noting that such expenses place a significant burden on the state’s budget.
“The funds used to compensate citizens for rain-related damages could be better invested in infrastructure development,” he explained.
“Proper resource management and timely action can save both money and effort in the long run.”
Mr Al Meghawi urged the Works Ministry to prioritise the maintenance of rainwater drains before the rainy season begins. He appealed for quick and efficient action to protect the safety and well-being of citizens, as well as to safeguard public funds.
“Last year, we saw how neglecting the drains led to flooding that damaged homes and caused a lot of stress. We hope this year will be different.”
Officials from the Works Ministry were unavailable for comment yesterday.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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