Taskforces bring relief after rain creates mess

TDT | Manama                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com   

The week-long rainstorm brought unique challenges when cleaning the mess it created, especially in low-lying areas and narrow alleyways.

But thanks to the “task force’ in operation in all governorates across the Kingdom, residents say they are ‘relieved’ as task force members are attending to water logging issues on a war footing.

“We are greatly relieved to see them in action,” several told The Daily Tribune.

Authorities were also conducting massive drives to remove debris from agricultural drains to remain better prepared to handle rainwater deluges.

Water logging had thrown life out of gear in many areas in the previous years, but not anymore, says the officials, who said they are doing everything possible to avoid such mishaps. A 38-year- old resident, Ramsankar Maheswaran, told The Daily Tribune, “Rainwaters had sunk the roads, and I dared not even to took my car outside for fear of getting stuck.

“Thankfully, since yesterday, cleaning up crews are in action.” “They are working tirelessly and siphoning off water from the inner roads and highways.

“It’s a great relief as we really had no other option other than staying inside all day, and it was a disaster, especially in my neighbourhood Um Al Hassam where rainwater inundated every inner road.”

Abdul Rahman, a resident who also runs a shop, said he saw several cars stranded in the water.

“Many cars in nearby parking were sunken as the owners could not pull them out. The task force helped many to drag the vehicles out.”

“Traffic was almost standstill with the rainstorm also toppling several trees and power polls.” Talking to Tribune, he urged drivers to take extreme caution.

“The drivers must exercise the highest level of caution on the road.” The Meteorological department had predicted unusual weather.

In a statement, the weatherman had said: “Usually, at this time of year, we expect such rains.”

However, several told us that despite the warnings, “we were poorly prepared to handle such a sky burst.”

call 17545544, 80008188

Yesterday, taskforces at the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture announced dealing with more than 851 sites for rainwater-related issues within 48 hours.

Officials said the public could report rainwater gathering issues on main streets on 17545544 and other streets and residential areas on 80008188. Police directorates in all governorates announced receiving 229 communications, which were all taken care of.