Public Works Authority (Ashghal) president Dr Saad bin Ahmad al-Muhannadi has instructed contractors and officials concerned to take all important precautions and measures in order to ensure that highways, main roads and tunnels are free of rainwater accumulation, making the safety of road users the top priority.

He made the observations at an informative workshop, titled 'Rainy Season 2019-2020', organised by Ashghal and attended by several officials and senior engineers from the authority as well as a large number of drainage framework contractors.

The workshop aimed to highlight the progress update of the latest projects implemented by Ashghal to eliminate the effects of rainwater accumulation in different parts of the country, the authority said in a press statement. It also discussed Ashghal's preparations for the rainy season and briefed all employees and partners on the work plan, whether from contractors or consultants.

The workshop also shed light on climate change and the increase in rainfall, as well as the proposed solutions to deal with this phenomenon.

During the workshop, participants discussed future and permanent projects to help deal with rainwater, as well as urgent solutions that serve the highways and main roads.

Ashghal officials presented the main procedures and processes that have been developed to deal with rainwater during important upcoming sports events, such as the Gulf Cup and FIFA Club World Cup which will take place in November and December this year.

Dr al-Muhannadi, who headed the workshop, stressed the need to implement all drainage projects according to the schedule.

Ashghal continues to implement infrastructure projects in certain areas according to the development plan, to include drainage networks or temporary operational solutions, the statement notes. Major projects are progressing to complete permanent systems for the discharge of surface water such as the Mesaimeer Outfall Tunnel Project that discharges surface water and rainwater in addition to permanent drainage networks in various areas.

This is in addition to 20 completed temporary solutions that help reduce the accumulation of rainwater in the most vulnerable areas in Doha to enhance operational readiness. These include the installation of overland pipes with pumps to clear water from streets and pump it into lagoons away from residential areas.

The recently completed solutions pertain to Education City, Umm Ebairiya, Al Wakrah, Al Wukair, Arabian Gulf Street and University Street. "These areas were heavily impacted by rainwater accumulation last year," Ashghal added.


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