12 killed and over 170 injured as severe floods hit Saudi Arabia
A severe storm dumped heavy rain and produced strong sandstorms across Saudi Arabia over the past couple of days, claiming lives of at least 12 people and injuring more than 170.
The rains started in northern and western parts on Sunday, January 27, 2019 and continued into Monday and Tuesday, January 29.
Low visibility and floods in Tabuk, Arar and Al-Jawf among other regions forced authorities to shut down schools and urge residents to pay extra attention and avoid taking unnecessary risks by going into valleys and other flood-prone and dangerous areas.
"Riyadh, Makkah, the northern border region, Hail, Tabuk, Qassim, Madinah, the eastern province, Asir, Jazan and Al-Jawf are experiencing unstable weather and the General Directorate of Civil Defense calls on citizens and residents not to risk themselves and their families, and avoid going to valleys or dangerous areas," Maj. Mohammed Al-Hammadi, Civil Defense spokesman, told Arab News.
The spokesman added Civil Defense rescued 65 people in Tabuk and Al-Jouf and 37 people in Duba on January 28, urging drivers to exercise restraint while driving and take maximum precautions as more rain was expected into January 29.
Reports received on Wednesday, January 30, mention 271 people rescued since January 27, most of them in the Al-Jawf region. Other rescues were performed in Mecca, Tabuk and the Northern Borders region.
At least 12 people have been killed and more than 170 injured.
Featured image credit: Saudi Arabia Civil Defence
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