Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has forecast moderate to heavy rain with thunderstorms, flash floods, hail and strong winds in several regions of the country on Saturday. The authorities have urged residents and visitors to stay alert.
According to the forecast, heavy rain may fall in Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Qassim, the Northern Borders, Jazan, Asir and Al-Baha, among other regions. In some places, dust storms could reduce visibility to almost zero.
Special alert for Madinah
The NCM issued a heavy rain alert for the Madinah region from 9am to 7pm on Saturday, with strong winds, hail, lightning and a risk of flash floods.
To deal with any emergency, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) has 70 ambulance teams and support vehicles on standby in Madinah. Volunteer ambulance teams at the Prophet’s Mosque and in the central area have also been put on standby.
The authorities have urged people to stay away from valleys, watercourses and waterlogged areas during the rain and not to cross roads through running water. People needing emergency medical help have been asked to call 997.
Rain may intensify on Monday and Tuesday
NCM spokesman Hussein Al-Qahtani said the rain may intensify over wide areas of the country on Monday and Tuesday. Moderate to heavy rain is also forecast for Jeddah and Rabigh on Saturday.
The weather centre said October to December is a relatively rainy period in Saudi Arabia, with rainfall increasing in November in particular in the mountainous areas of the west and south-west.
Heavy downpours can, however, send sudden torrents through dry valleys and low-lying areas, raising the risk to life. The Saudi authorities have therefore urged residents and visitors to follow the latest weather warnings and avoid flood-prone areas.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report