After the flood: Governor exonerated, Alexandrians still angry

By Amina Zaineldine
@A_Zaineldine

A week after heavy rains along the north coast battered Alexandria and caused flash floods which killed at least five people, the city’s residents remain divided who to blame for the lack of adequate response.

Wahid Saoudi, the official spokesman of the Egyptian Meteorological Authority, told The Caravan that they had warned that the rainfall would be intense.

“We forecast the torrents and informed all the relevant authorities,” Wahid said.

Some 3.2 million cubic meters of rain fell over the span of nine hours, the government said, causing millions of pounds of damage and leaving residents angry that the local authorities appeared to have been ill prepared.

The sewage system, meant to absorb the excess rainfall, appeared to have been clogged up.

Three days after the heavy rainfall, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail found Alexandria’s governor not responsible for mismanaging the response to the flash floods.

A report by his cabinet revealed that maintenance of the sewage system was the responsibility of the Sewage Authority and not the governor’s office.

Governor Hany El-Messeiry had resigned on October 25 following severe criticism from residents and members of the cabinet.

The resignation and consequent exoneration has left many Alexandrians confused whom to hold accountable.

“[El-Messeiry’s] priorities weren’t right,” social media specialist and Alexandria resident Aya Tahoun told The Caravan.

“He focused on and enhanced tourism in Alexandria without putting into consideration what matters the most.”

But Mostafa Fayed, a student at the Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, says El-Messeiry shouldn’t be the only one held responsible.

“Where are the generals who head the districts?” he said.

“El-Messeiry spoke in advance about the possibility of this catastrophe and requested financial and administrative support, but the [local] government balked,” Fayed added.

Following the governor’s resignation, a video was released on social media showing El-Messeiry meeting with Alexandria city officials to discuss preparedness for severe weather.

The video also shows members of the Sewage Authority downplaying chances of heavy rainfall.

Soaad Fahmy, Head of the Central Alexandria district, warned on CBC last week that if the drainage network problem is not resolved, these floods are likely to recur.

The Egyptian cabinet last week approved EGP 75 million for developing and improving the drainage system, but it is unclear when the work will begin.

On October 26, Soad El Kholy was appointed acting governor.