Updated on November 25, 2015 12:00 PM (IST): Heavy rainfall wreaks havoc in Jeddah, Riyadh and Qassim
A fresh spell of rain and hail storm hit Jeddah, Riyadh and Qassim on Monday. The Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah was already suffering from swamps and water logs left behind by last week’s spell of rainfall, when heavy showers lashed the city once again.
Schools in Riyadh and Qassim remained closed on Tuesday as well. These two regions received heavy downpours from Monday evening till Tuesday. According to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), similar weather condition will prevail in these regions until Thursday. Going by local media reports, a Sri Lankan Embassy official was stuck in Buraidah for hours due to traffic congestion. He was traveling to Riyadh from Hail via Buraidah.
In fact, weather models suggest that heavy rain and thunderstorm are likely in several areas including eastern part of Riyadh, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Jouf, the northern border, Hail, Qassim. Inclement weather conditions will extend up to the highlands of Asir, Baha and Jazan. Sandstorms are likely in the western parts of the Kingdom.
Updated on November 20, 2015 11:00 AM (IST): Inadequate drainage system worsens flood situation in Jeddah
Heavy rains coupled with inadequate drainage system led to floods across Jeddah and surrounding areas. The flooding has inundated streets and tunnels.
It is shocking to know that the authorities have admitted that the flooding has worsened due to lack of adequate drainage system.
This admission comes six years after the 2009 floods, which caused over 100 deaths and extensive damage to homes, public infrastructure and cars. Following this, the authorities promised to revamp the entire drainage system. Since then a number of flood prevention projects have been announced but, there seems to be no progress on those projects.
The authorities said that they had rolled out around 20 million SMS’s to the citizens warning them about the weather and advising them to stay indoors. According to authorities, around 22 mm of rain was recorded at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Tuesday. The authorities also said that the current weather conditions is normal and might continue till the end of the autumn season.
The weather forecast does not look promising as more unsettled weather conditions are likely from November 22 onwards. Weather models suggest that cold and rainy weather is in the offing. Strong southerly winds and dust are expected along the western portions of the central region and northern border. Moderate to heavy thunderstorms are likely to affect the northern border and Hail region on Sunday and Monday. Unsettled weather will also affect the eastern province on Monday and Tuesday. Thunderstorms will affect in Qassim, Riyadh, parts of Madinah and Makkah next week.
Image credit: Arab News
