Gulf | Saudi Arabia
Ghost towns in Saudi seismic zone as evacuations continue
Civil defence teams and ambulances remain at hand in worst-hit Al Ais and Umluj to help distressed villagers move to safer areas
- By Abdul-Rahman Shaheen, Correspondent
- Published: 23:39 May 22, 2009
Riyadh: The smell of sulphur lingers in the air and the streets wear a deserted look in the quake-hit villages of Al Ais and Umluj in Madinah region.
Civil defence teams and ambulances remain in the area, urging any remaining inhabitants to exercise every precaution. Where there are people to be seen, the sound of wailing sirens can be heard over the commotion of people in various states of panic.
Saudi authorities have urged people in the region to evacuate their villages after tremors measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale were registered in Al Ais area
Despite the large number of tremors which were felt in large areas of the cities of Tabuk and Madinah, the efforts of authorities ensured there were no casualties. Entire villages have been housed in tent townships in the desert and provided with all necessary materials while hundreds of others have been taken to hotels and rented apartments.
Prince Fahd Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, the governor of Tabuk region assured the citizens of safety and security measures initiated by the government. He affirmed in a statement published yesterday by a local newspaper that he would spare no efforts to ensure that the necessary aid reached all affected citizens.
"The kingdoms has always rushed to the aid of disaster-affected countries in the world and now that Saudi citizens are involved, they will be given all necessary assistance," he said.
The governor of Tabuk pointed out that the evacuated people had been given the option to settle in the camps set up for them in safe places away from the tremor-hit areas or to move to fully equipped apartments in Tabuk and other provinces.
For his part, the director of Civil Defence in Madinahh Colonel Ali Atallah Al Otaibi told the Gulf News"that 5,296 people from Al-Ais were accommodated in hotels and furnished apartments.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Education, Prince Faisal Bin Abdullah, has issued a decision to suspend classes for two week in Umluj province effective from today.
Since the early hours of yesterday morning, Al Ais has turned into a gloomy town once the Civil Defence Corps declared the highest state of alert to evacuate all the residents of the town who are estimated at tens of thousands.
Thee Civil Defence and the police closed all the main roads and entrances leading to the Al-Ais in order to preserve the souls of citizens after the appearance of cracks in the walls in addition to existence of fumes.
Despite the quick evacuation carried out by the Civil Defence authorities in the town, the majority of the population continued to be in a state of panic and remained concerned over their safety after circulation of news about emissions of sulphur gas from Al Hidamah mountains. Some people seemed extremely particular about wearing gas masks distributed by Civil Defence teams in Al Ais.
The Civil Defence also distributed water and food and transported people by more than 70 bus to the shelter Centre in Faqaali (55 kilometres south of Al Ais.
Citizens and expatriates headed in groups and as individuals to the temporary camps in preparation for their transportation to safe areas in the cities of Yanbu, Madia and Jeddah.
The Civil Defence department repeatedly made calls to citizens and expatriates to stay at least 60 kilometres away from quake-hit areas.
Nayef Al Shihri, a Saudi journalist in the affected areas described the situation as "sombre", though he admitted that the relevant authorities spared no efforts to reassure residents. "The people of Al Ais town and the surrounding villages which were hit by the earthquakes are living dreary days, deprived of sleep and rest," he said.
"However, the readiness of local authorities and the Civil Defence in particular prevented the occurrence of humanitarian catastrophe that could lead to the death of hundreds of citizens and expatriates.
Relief work: Control room set up to aid Red Crescent
For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a satellite-operated mobile operations room has been established to enable the Red Crescent teams to monitor quake-hit areas, receive complaints and to provide wireless communication, besides extending internet and fax services to the emergency teams.
The Director General of the Red Crescent branch in Madina, Dr Mualla Al Jabri, told reporters that a total of 70 ambulance teams were mobilised including 30 ambulance teams from Makkah region.
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