Heavy rain lashes Saudi

Riyadh : Saudi authorities have closed schools and universities after flooding in the kingdom’s second-largest city, Jiddah, and the country’s Red Sea coastal regions.

Residents were also warned by the Kingdom’s weather authorities to expect more rain to fall. 

“Rain will continue in Jeddah while heavy rain is expected in Makkah and Taif,” the Saudi General Authority of Meteorology & Environmental Protection, said in its latest weather update posted on Twitter.

Videos shared on Twitter and other social media sites on Tuesday show people stranded in tunnels and on roads with cars engulfed by floodwater.

Schools have also been closed in the areas of Mecca and Taif. Saudi Civil Defense warns that heavy rainfall is expected to last until at least Wednesday morning.

The wet weather is expected to continue in Jeddah and Makkah through to Thursday, according to the General Authority of Meteorology and Environment Protection.

A report by national said that the several flights were delayed due to the rain. 

“We value our esteemed guests and recognise that due to these weather conditions they might want to change their travel plans or cancel, therefore it was decided to exempt all affected tickets that were issued with confirm bookings that are affected by the weather from all restrictions and penalties,” the report quoted the Saudi Airlines as saying. 

Flooding happens almost every year in Jiddah and other western cities in Saudi Arabia. The most devastating flood in recent years was in 2009, when more than 100 people died.

An anti-corruption committee led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says a purge that began earlier this month is partly related to the 2009 Jiddah flooding.