7 dead, 11 injured as floods sweep through Saudi Arabia

Seven people have been killed while 11 others were injured after heavy rainfall triggered flooding in the northeastern part of Saudi Arabia on October 27, 2019. The rains have been occurring since October 25.

Aside from the fatalities, the floods also damaged houses, affecting around 1 176 residents.

At least 40 vehicles were ravaged by traffic incidents as a result of the severe weather.

The heavy rain and storms started pouring on Friday morning, October 25, and continued until Sunday, October 27 in the eastern areas of the kingdom.

This includes the areas of Harf Al-Batin, Al-Khafaji and Al-Qur'a Al-Alia.

About 16 people who were trapped by the floodwaters have been rescued, according to the Saudi Defense Department. Rescue services in the northeastern city of Hafer Al-Batin, about 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Kuwait said the victims were forced to evacuate and have been taken to safety.

Temporary shelters have been provided to the people affected by the rain, according to the department.

During the previous years, the kingdom and the region at large have been struck by a gradual figure of natural calamities, such as the flash floods which resulted in 30 fatalities in November 2018, as well as the snowstorms which hit much of the Gulf region in April 2018.

Featured image credit: Ayman Mat/YouTube