Heavy Rain Leads To Flash Floods Across Saudi Arabia, Schools Closed, Two Dead: Report

Just days after the UAE experienced torrential rain and even flooded highways, Saudi Arabia is experiencing its own extreme weather, with schools across the region closed due to heavy rain.

At least two people were killed on Thursday when flash floods occurred in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as a result of heavy rains. Jeddah yesterday reportedly received 965mm of rain in just six hours, at least 15 times the city's average annual rainfall, as per the media reports. 

Notably, Jeddah, a city of around four million people, is located on the Red Sea and is known as the "gateway to Mecca."

Flooding and heavy rain were accompanied by storms, thunder, and lightning in Jeddah. Flights were delayed, the road to Mecca was closed, and schools had to close due to flash floods caused by heavy rain in the city. On the other hand, authorities claim that the road to Mecca was opened later, as reported by news agency AFP. 

Some flights at King Abdulaziz International Airport were delayed. Schools in the neighbouring cities of Rabigh and Khulais were also shuttered 'to ensure the protection of male and female pupils,' according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

"Two deaths have been recorded so far, and we call on everyone not to go out unless necessary," stated a tweet from the Mecca regional government's Twitter account.

As a result of the torrential rains, pools of water appeared on the banks of several streets in Jeddah. The civil defence teams in the city have intervened to rescue individuals stuck there. Wheel loaders were also employed to transport bystanders, according to Al Madina News. 

Vehicles were carried away in the flash flood triggered by the downpour, according to videos showing the devastation.

"Water seeped into some of the facilities in King Abdulaziz city in Jeddah and the situation was dealt with according to the emergency plan in place," said the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in a statement.

The kingdom is in the midst of final examinations, but schools were already closed nationwide on Wednesday when King Salman proclaimed a holiday following Saudi Arabia's shocking World Cup defeat of Argentina.

In Jeddah, where locals have long complained about deficient infrastructure, winter rainstorms and flooding occur practically every year.

In 2009, floods killed 123 people in the city, and 10 more died two years later.

(With Inputs From Agencies)