Videos: Severe flooding hits Saudi Arabia amid heavy rainfall

Saudi Arabia is experiencing severe flooding due to heavy rainfall that began on October 27, 2024. Mecca, a city of immense religious significance, is among the worst affected areas. Online videos show streets, pathways, and even the Grand Mosque inundated with floodwaters, causing significant disruptions for residents, pilgrims, and visitors.

The prolonged heavy rains have overwhelmed Mecca’s drainage system, leading to widespread flooding. Nearby areas in western Saudi Arabia, including Madinah and Jeddah, are also experiencing heavy rainfall and flooding.

According to Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesperson for the National Center of Meteorology, regions such as Hail, Qassim, Asir, and Jizan can expect the heaviest rainfall. Significant rain is also forecasted for parts of Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, Sharqiya, and areas near the northern borders.

The most intense showers are predicted between Saturday and Sunday, with severe weather conditions expected to persist until November 3. Saudi Civil Defence is closely monitoring the situation and advising citizens to stay away from valleys and rainwater accumulation.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Saudi Civil Defence urged caution, saying, “Saudi Civil Defence continues to monitor the rainy conditions witnessed in most regions of the Kingdom in the field, and calls for staying away from valleys and rainwater accumulation.”

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