An official report presented to Electricity Minister Hassan Younis revealed that heavy rains in the southern city of Aswan in recent days had temporarily disrupted the Aswan High Dam’s power station, with 81 high-tension cable towers collapsing as a result of strong winds causing damage estimated at more than LE70 million.
Meanwhile, in North Sinai, the Olympic Village in the city of Arish was hit by equally severe torrents, causing the collapse of a sports complex and the main entrance gate. The village, which cost LE90 million to build, had been initially opposed by the local council and the irrigation ministry. Nevertheless, the former governor had insisted on building it in its current location.
The city of Arish was completely flooded, forcing residents to literally swim from one place to another.
According to Arish resident Mohamed el-Haddad, more than 45 houses and 60 shops had been swept away by torrents of rainwater. "No rescue teams have come to rescue us," he said. "We’re completely on our own here."
A high-ranking official at the irrigation ministry, meanwhile, blamed former provincial governors for allowing the construction of sports facilities and shopping malls in the valleys, which are usually subject to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
