RIYADH: Heavy downpours late Thursday and Friday disrupted flights in and out of Jeddah, with rain in various cities in Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, forcing people to remain indoors.
King Abdulaziz International Airport announced that several flights were delayed due to the weather, requesting passengers to get in touch with the relevant authorities and airlines about rescheduling.
Due to the inclement weather, several areas of Jeddah also became waterlogged, with the city readying equipment and manpower to deal with any emergencies.
Incessant rain lashes Riyadh on Friday. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh)
The Kingdom has raised the rain alert level, with the National Center of Meteorology issuing a warning late on Thursday evening and the Civil Defense sending text messages to residents on Friday.
Iffat Aabroo, a Riyadh resident, told Arab News: “The weather warning remained active amid (the) downpour. I received a text message from the Civil Defense on Friday, which read: Forecasts received from the NCM indicate moderate to heavy rainfall in the Riyadh region, which includes the capital city Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahimiyah, Quwayiyah, Majmaah, Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Shaqra, Ramah, Dawadmi, Afif, Layla Al-Aflaj, and Wadi Al-Dawasir from Friday to Saturday. May Allah make it a rain of good and blessing. Your cooperation is our goal. Your safety is our goal.”
HIGHLIGHT
The showers, accompanied by active winds, will fall on some parts of Hail and Madinah regions, with fog during the night and early morning in Jazan, Asir, Baha, Najran, Tabuk, Northern Borders, Jawf, Hail, Qassim and the northern parts of the Eastern and Riyadh regions, the report said.
The NCM, in its forecast on Friday, said: “Moderate to torrential thundershowers, accompanied by active winds, are still forecast to fall on some parts of Jazan, Asir, Baha, Qassim, Eastern and Makkah regions.”
Incessant rain lashes Riyadh on Friday. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh)
The report added that the showers, accompanied by active winds, will fall on some parts of Hail and Madinah regions, with fog during the night and early morning in Jazan, Asir, Baha, Najran, Tabuk, Northern Borders, Jawf, Hail, Qassim and the northern parts of the Eastern and Riyadh regions.
The NCM posted on Twitter that Jeddah’s Basateen district recorded the highest level of rainfall at 54.2 mm, followed by King Abdulaziz International Airport at 48 mm.
The report showed that the surface wind movement in the Red Sea will be northeasterly to northwesterly at a speed of 20-40 km per hour on the northern part and easterly to southeasterly, gradually turning southerly, at a speed of 20-40 km per hour on the southern and central parts, reaching more than 50 km per hour with thunderstorms.
A resident protecting himself from incessant rain on Friday in Riyadh. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh)
The surface wind movement in the Arabian Gulf will be northerly to northeasterly, at a speed of 18-38 km per hour on the southern part, and northwesterly to northerly at a speed of 18-38 km per hour on the northern part.
The NCM on Wednesday issued a severe weather warning, with moderate to heavy rain forecast to begin on Thursday and continue until at least Tuesday, potentially accompanied by hail, dust clouds, low visibility, and high waves along coastlines.
“It is expected that the effect of the situation will begin Thursday evening, and its intensity will increase on Friday and Saturday. With rains from medium to heavy, with the flow of torrential rains in the regions of Makkah, Jeddah, Rabigh, Taif, Al-Jamum, Al-Kamil, Bahra, Khulais, Al-Laith, Al-Qunfudhah, Al-Ardiyat, Adham Al-Baha (Al-Baha, Baljurashi, Al-Mandaq, Al-Qura, Qilwa, Al-Makhwah, Al-Aqiq, Bani Hassan, Al-Hajjrah and Ghamid Al-Zanad), and Asir (Al-Namas, Balqarn, Al-Majardah, Muhail, Bariq, Tanumah, Al-Barak and Bisha),” the NCM said.
Incessant rain lashes Riyadh on Friday. (AN photo by Basheer Saleh)
The center has also urged the public to check its website and its social media accounts for the latest information about the severe weather and the areas likely to be worst affected. It also called on everyone to heed weather-related warnings and follow any instructions issued by the authorities.
The concerned authorities across the Kingdom continue their assistance around the clock and advised people to take caution during the rain and not to leave their homes except in emergencies.
The Civil Defense Directorate cautioned residents to take utmost precautions and safety measures because of the continuing bad weather.
It also urged the people to abide by the safety instructions and guidelines, such as driving with extra care on slippery roads.
The crisis and disaster management center in Makkah region has stressed the importance of not leaving homes unless essential.
“People must take care and not approach the sites where rainwater accumulates to ensure their safety,” the center said.
