RIYADH: The southern Al-Baha region is enjoying lush greenery and vivid landscapes, thanks to recent rains.
Valleys, highlands and agricultural plains are alive with vegetation as residents prepare to welcome tourists from around the country who flock to the area to escape the heat of summer.
Water has been seen flowing through villages, farms and fields, forming pools, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Photographers captured low clouds and fog that covered roads and mountains, creating mild conditions for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
This weather, typical of the area, is one of the main reasons people visit from across Saudi Arabia, along with various tourist attractions such as parks and natural features. Al-Baha also hosts a number of programs and events for summer visitors.
Al-Baha is one of the wettest regions in the country, with annual rainfall of around 600 mm. This is in stark contrast to other regions, such as Riyadh, which are typically dry year-round and see an average annual rainfall of just 100 mm.
The rainfall is crucial for Al-Baha’s ecosystem, as it creates vegetation cover and contributes to the health of wadis, feeding into the region’s agriculture while also enhancing the tourist experience.
Summer rain falls over the mountains due to the easterly jet wind current, which is also responsible for summer monsoons across the tropics.
