Authorities in Bahrain are on standby in case of further rains after working round the clock to clear roads following downpours earlier this week, said a top official.

Works Ministry public relations and media director Fahad Buallay told the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, the situation was nothing compared to November - when 38cm of rainfall was dumped on the country in just three-and-a-half hours.

However, he said steps had been taken to speed up drainage and prevent waterlogging.

"Rainwater gathered in some problematic areas but our technical team immediately took action in collaboration with the Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Ministry," he said.

"Through our experience in November, we proactively had tanks on standby - especially at points that had most problems due to rainwater. This time, we had about 38mm in 48 hours as compared to 38mm in just 3.5 hours in November, which was concentrated and compressed.

"There is no comparison, as in these three days it's well spread and we had time to drain the accumulated water,” he added.

However, he said the situation was not being taken lightly. "The weather is unstable and we are expecting more rainfall over the weekend," he said.

The ministry is now focusing on paving dirt roads in villages to reduce dust in summer and prevent them becoming muddy in winter.

"In the long term, we are proactively trying to significantly decrease the problem," said Buallay. "We are going to tender the paving of remaining roads, which will be done to international standards." – TradeArabia News Service