Destructive flash floods hit Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Heavy overnight rains hit the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia on December 23, 2022, damaging properties and buildings. The event comes just one month after the city of Jeddah, Mecca Province witnessed record rainfall.
The floods turned roads into raging rivers, damaging properties and sweeping away vehicles. There are no reports of deaths or injuries.
A number of weather warnings were issued across several regions and the country’s weather authorities urged the public to take precautions as more rain was expected on Saturday, December 24.1
The National Center of Meteorology issued an alert for the western city of Madinah and its surrounding governorates, with forecasts of thunderstorms accompanied by heavy and torrential rain, surface winds, hail, and lack of visibility.
Moderate to heavy rainfall was also recorded in Jeddah, Qassim, Al-Jawf, Taif, Al-Wajh, Yanbu, Tabuk, Arar, Hail, Al-Baha and Makkah.
The city of Jeddah, Mecca Province recorded 179 mm (7 inches) of rain in 24 hours on November 24, breaking the previous rainfall record set in 2009 at 90 mm (3.5 inches) when more than 120 people lost their lives.2
References:
1 Saudi authorities prepare for more rain, urge caution – Arab News – December 23, 2022
2 Record-breaking rains cause devastating flash floods in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The Watchers – November 24, 2022
Featured image credit: Arab Storms (stillshot)
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