Riyadh (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Torrential rains and flash floods in different provinces have left 16 people dead and three missing. The heavy rainfall began last Friday affecting most of the kingdom with most of the damage in Baha, Asir and Aqiq. Saudi King Abdullah ordered government departments to take steps to offer financial and material support to flood victims.
Saudi television showed footage of flooded villages in several regionsuntry. The Saudi Civil Defence authorities urged people to avoid valleys and plains flooded by the heavy rainfall.
The lifeless bodies of two men, a woman and a child were found in the Baha area. In Asir province, the collapse of a temporary dam forced the authorities to evacuate the nearby villages of Tabalah, Thnyah, Shedaiq and Subaihi.
"The king has been monitoring the situation since the heavy downpours began. He is also monitoring the efforts of all related ministries and government departments to provide relief operations and undertake safety measures," said Interior Minister Prince Muhammad bin Naif.
In 2011, Saudi Arabia's GDP grew by 4.8 per cent, reaching US$ 572 billion, putting the country in 20th place in world economic ranking. Yet, in spite of its huge wealth and massive investment in infrastructure, disasters of this type continue to cause fatalities in many parts of the kingdom.
The region on the Red Sea has seen violent floods several times in the past. In 2009, flash floods in the port of Jeddah killed 123 people. The failure of local authorities to build and maintain infrastructures to drain off flood waters was blamed for the high number of victims. In 2011, ten more people died in the city in similar circumstances.
The rainfall of the past few days is said to be the heaviest experienced by the desert kingdom in more than 25 years. It has also highlighted the authorities' lack of preparation to face natural disasters.
Despite numerous promises made to the population, people blames King Abdullah him and his ministers for ignoring the problem.