Friday, September 3, 2010

Floods in Jeddah

December 2 2009

In last week’s Gulf Notes we reported that over forty people had died as a result of the flooding. That number is now above 100. Rains tragically revealed the state of disrepair the city’s infrastructure was in, as the rainwaters had nowhere to go but through the city’s unexpecting streets. Ongoing road cave-ins and other utility damages will continue to air Jeddah’s weaknesses, when plans for major renovations to the city’s heart have come and gone, with decades-long debates enduring about how Jeddah’s authentic city can be sustained. As the damage continues to be assessed, Jeddah’s citizens have started to react and demonstrate against the condition of their city. The city is a special place on the Arabian peninsula — an ancient and, more importantly, alive mixing pot of cultures and people. Our wishes of health and optimism go out to our beloved Jeddah and its citizens.

some more youtube links, found through Arabic searches:
http://www.naqatube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=490978df0b4d85c5736b
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdr9osXjUSI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qhBliK8wW8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_uBCDjWUOo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buBCyomPzBU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKV3Rvv3BlY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jnOYouHw_A&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaoXKrbTFkI&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17nr1VGYsHc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2FZJa7MGps&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz0Mizzeuc8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axDLIA2YSkY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsgdn7uG93w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHFmpqeM-dI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIaqM5pFBNA&feature=related

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Abu Dhabi tower, December, 2009. Photo: Sander van Horssen
Abu Dhabi tower, December, 2009. Photo: Sander van HorssenYas Island, Abu Dhabi, December, 2009. Photo: Sander van Horssen
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