CAIRO: Alexandria Governor Hani el-Messiry resigned Sunday after flooding crisis that killed five people in the city, and submitted his decision to the Prime Minister Sherif Ismail who approved it.
The Mediterranean city of Alexandria has been hit by heavy rains and storms since Friday night.
The Ministry of Health announced five people, including two children, were killed Sunday due to the “bad weather;” four died of electric shocks after a power cable fall in the accumulated rain water, and another man died inside his car.
Each family of the victims will receive 10, 000 EGP ($1,245) in compensation, according to the Ministry of Solidarity. Also, the families affected by the rain will be financially compensated.
Pictures of Alexandria streets filled with pools of rain water have circulated on social media, with some users slamming the “lack of preparation” to prevent the crisis in the “beautiful” tourist city.
Cars stuck in rain water flooding Alexandria streets – YOUM7
Citizens trying to pull out a taxi stuck in rain water flooding Alexandria streets- YOUM7
Alexandria pounded by rains, floods- Asmaa Abdelatif for Youm7
Many Alexandria residents blamed Messiry for the whole crisis, while others said districts’ heads share the responsibility.
Heads of electricity, sewage and public transport companies, as well as heads of municipalities were summoned for investigations over the crisis.
Messiry was sworn-in by President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi in a governor reshuffle that took place in February. After his wife attended some official meetings, Messiry faced wave of criticism, however, he said attendance was justified due to her “expertise in environment affairs.”
The now-former governor holds a Business Administration bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree from Alexandria University.
Egypt’s Meteorological Authority has warned of 72 hours of heavy rains, winds escorted with drop in temperature hitting the country, and expected the wave to end on Tuesday.