Jeddah hit by heavy showers

JEDDAH: Residents of Jeddah witnessed heavy rains in the city on Tuesday with many coming out on to the streets to watch the rare downpour as others struggled to travel around the city. Inclement weather hit many parts of western Saudi Arabia early Tuesday. Makkah also saw rains across the city as the Ministry of Education ordered a one day school closure in Jeddah and surrounding areas delighting students and parents alike. The same, however, could not be said for motorists traveling around Jeddah. A number of streets and tunnels were blocked with rain water causing traffic issues across the city. One resident told Arab News, the rain is defiantly having an impact, saying “people are tense, fleeing their jobs and rushing home! Because of all this rush there are a lot of accidents and tragedies.”
Arab News received a number of photos and videos of how residents were witnessing the rare showers. Images showed police assisting accidents and vehicles stuck in rain water.
Heavy rain of this magnitude last hit the city in 2011, a year after the deadly floods that claimed the lives of over 120 people. Jeddah weather is usually dry, but humid in the summer, with winter months usually being very pleasant.