AN emergency taskforce deployed to clean the capital in the aftermath of a dust storm last week removed 25 per cent more sand and debris compared to previous years.
The Capital Municipality team cleared 40 loads of dust and sand, 20 loads of agricultural debris and nine loads of advertisements and billboards from across Manama after the dust storm blew across the kingdom, from June 17 to 20.
A truck can load a maximum of six cubic metres of sand, gravel, soil, trashes, etc.
The municipality’s cleaning department head Jasim Redha told the GDN that the challenge was to clear the roads before the traffic hours, with the ‘taskforce’ deployed between 4am and 7am.
“We removed 40 loads of dust and sand, with each six-wheel truck able to carry six cubic metres of waste,” said Mr Redha.
“We also collected 20 loads of agricultural debris such as tree trunks and branches that fell amidst the sand storm.
“Both of these were more than in the recent past, by at least 25pc in each case.
“We also removed nine loads of advertisements and billboards, mostly on lampposts.”
He said the sand and dust that was collected could not be recycled or reused and was hence dumped in the Asker landfill, along with the plants debris.
“We normally use machines to suck up the sand, and spray water on it to prevent it from spreading.
“This sand is salty and not good for agriculture and mixed with dirt, so we can only dump it.”
Agricultural waste is, meanwhile, recycled to wood flakes using a shredding machine.
Almost 240 people were on the job including the municipality’s emergency taskforce of around 20 people during the four days.
“We have around 120 to 240 people working in shifts daily to clean the roads.
“We also have a taskforce which is on standby as part of an emergency plan which is activated in situations such as a sand storm.”
Mr Redha said the maximum amount of dust and debris was collected from the capital because the municipality has the most number of roads and highways.
“We cover the main roads like the ring roads, King Faisal Highway, Juffair and Seef areas and Bahrain Bay which are all critical road networks and business hubs.”
The Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry last week said that it had set up an ‘urgent plan’ to clean the streets of Bahrain and 60 shipments of dirt and dust were removed within two days.
Municipal Affairs Under-Secretary Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said an emergency team was also deployed to clean the streets, roads and squares following the dust storm.
He added that in the first two days the Capital Municipality had removed 16 shipments of dust, followed by Southern and Northern municipalities (15 shipments each) and Muharraq Municipality (14 shipments).
“Twelve shipments of fallen trees and shrubs were also removed as also 56 advertisements.
“The northern region was the most affected in the first two days from where we removed 50 advertisements, followed by three each from the Capital and Southern municipalities.”
The team was also deployed to clean public facilities, gardens, walkways and waterfront.
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