JEDDAH REGION FLOODING ON FIRST DAY OF HAJJ: 77

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000456

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, SE/S-O, CA/OCS/ACS-NESA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PGOV SA SENV
SUBJECT: JEDDAH REGION FLOODING ON FIRST DAY OF HAJJ: 77
CITY RESIDENTS DIE

JEDDAH 00000456 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: Media reported that flash flooding
yesterday (November 25) in Jeddah killed 77 and stranded up
to 1,000, especially in the poorer districts to the east and
south of the city. Total casualty estimates may rise. Rain,
a rare occurrence in this region and reported to be "the
worst in 27 years," lasted from Wednesday morning into the
early afternoon with reported rainfall of 140 millimeters
(5.5 inches). The heavy rain caused extensive damage in
Jeddah, a city without the infrastructure to support
flooding, with one fear being the overflow of a sewage
reservoir. Although the rain drenched many of the 2 million
pilgrims on their first day of Hajj in Mecca, it seems the
effect in the Muslim holy city was more limited. The next
few weeks will be devoted to clean-up in Jeddah, with no
further rain being forecast at this time. So far there have
been no serious problems related to the flooding reported by
any of the several thousand American citizens performing the
pilgrimage, and all Mission staff are accounted for. End
summary.


77 die in flooding
--------------


2. (U) The Jeddah Civil Defense Department and now Saudi TV
is reporting that 77 people in Jeddah have been killed in the
flooding (up from 13 and then 48 reported earlier). Most
deaths were due to drowning, but some were the result of
collapsing bridges or car accidents in the flooding. Rescue
services reported 900-1,000 persons were stranded in houses
inundated by water. Local government has moved some
residents of affected areas to temporary housing in wedding
and event halls and has deployed 120 rescue teams across the
city, with water pumps and a thousand foreign workers to
clean up the flood devastation.


Fears of sewage overflow
--------------


3. (U) Officials are warning of an overflow at "Misk" Lake,
a waste dump of unprocessed sewage located in Guiza, 40
minutes northeast of the center of Jeddah. The lake is
currently held back by a dam, but due to the rising water
level, the Saudi Meteorological Agency fears a collapse of
the dam, according to Arabic daily Okaz. Health officials
are said to be working to avert a medical emergency.


Flooding caused devastation in Jeddah
--------------


4. (SBU) Since Jeddah lacks the infrastructure to support
heavy rainfall -- inadequate or non-existent drainage systems
and underground sewers and no means to keep water from
residential areas -- the 5.5-inch rainstorm within a few
hours caused extensive damage. Three bridges collapsed, roads
were treacherous, and power was down for hours. ConGenOffs
driving through Jeddah streets yesterday witnessed small
streets and main thoroughfares flooded over the sidewalks,
hundreds of stalled cars, and some impassable areas due to
fallen signs, trees, and debris. The sister of a ConGen FSN
was forced to retreat to the roof of her house with her
family in eastern Jeddah as floodwaters inundated the rest of
the residence. She was rescued and is currently living with
family elsewhere in Jeddah, unsure of when she can return.
Another ConGen FSN reported seeing a bus almost completely
covered with water in an underground tunnel in the center of
the city. Other contacts have described neighborhoods in
Sulaimaniyah and other areas yesterday as resembling "car
junkyards" and "flowing rivers."


Roadways closed for Hajj
--------------


5. (U) Due to the collapse of two bridges on the
Jeddah-Mecca roadway, officials have been forced to open
alternative routes for Hajj pilgrims traveling to the holy
city. Although there are reports of some pilgrims being
forced out of tents in Mina and into hotels and other nearby

JEDDAH 00000456 002.2 OF 002


shelters due to rainstorms and flooding, damage in Mecca has
not been comparable to that in Jeddah.


American citizens report few problems
--------------


6. (SBU) Post has been in contact with the major Hajj tour
company for American citizens, Dar El Salam, which reports no
serious problems with their pilgrims, other than the
inconvenience and discomfort of getting soaked. No emergency
calls from American citizens have been received thus far at
the ConGen and the Embassy/Consulate pilgrims, CDC team, and
a small DoD group are all reported to be fine. Ministry of
Hajj authorities confirm there have been no deaths or
injuries to Americans pilgrims. The Consulate in downtown
Jeddah experienced minor flooding Wednesday but was able to
host a Thanksgiving lunch for 60 host country contacts and
staff without incident after clean-up crew was called in;
about a dozen guests regretted due to the rain.



7. (SBU) Comment: With the weather forecast not calling for
any more rain, the Jeddah Municipality will be working for
the next few weeks on clean-up. By the afternoon of
Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.),roads
have already begun to dry, at least in the main areas and the
more affluent parts of the city. Jeddah's airport has
reported no flight problems aside from three diverted flights
to Medina on Wednesday. The main challenge for the
municipality will be moving displaced residents back into
their flood-wrecked homes in the south and east of Jeddah. A
potential health hazard will be standing water, a breeding
ground for mosquitoes. End comment.
QUINN