Severe flooding disrupts Mecca and nearby regions, Saudi Arabia
Heavy rainfall since October 27, 2024, has led to severe flooding across Saudi Arabia, with Mecca among the worst affected areas. Streets and pathways in the city, including the Grand Mosque, are heavily flooded, causing significant disruption for residents, pilgrims, and visitors.
Severe flooding disrupts Mecca and other regions amid heavy rainfall in Saudi Arabia. Image credit: طقس_العالم
- The Saudi Civil Defence and local authorities actively manage the impact, urging people to stay indoors and avoid flooded areas. Areas like Hail, Qassim, Asir, and Jizan are expected to see even more rain through November 3.
Saudi Arabia is currently bearing the impact of severe weather, with many cities experiencing flood-like conditions following intense rainfall. Streets across entire cities have transformed into waterlogged areas, with roads submerged and widespread flooding evident everywhere.
Mecca has been particularly impacted, where flash floods have disrupted daily life and inundated streets.
Heavy rains have surrounded the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque, drawing significant attention as one of Islam’s most sacred sites experiences unprecedented water levels.
The floods occurred as Mecca endured prolonged heavy rains that started two days ago, on October 27, and surpassed the city’s drainage system capacity.
The flooding is concentrated in Mecca, but nearby areas in western Saudi Arabia, including sections of Madinah and Jeddah, are also experiencing heavy rainfall and flooding.
Severe weather conditions are predicted to remain through Sunday, November 3.
On October 27, Hussein Al-Qahtani, the National Center of Meteorology spokesperson, indicated that regions like Hail, Qassim, Asir, and Jizan are expected to receive the heaviest rainfall. Significant rain is also anticipated in parts of Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and Sharqiya, along with areas near the northern borders, with the most intense showers forecasted between Saturday and Sunday.
Saudi Civil Defence posted on X (formerly Twitter), “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.”
Efforts to alleviate the impact are ongoing, with local authorities providing emergency assistance and encouraging locals and pilgrims to stay indoors and avoid flooding.
Al-Qahtani has confirmed that the center will release a detailed report on the current weather conditions and provide continuous updates on the evolving situation and its impacts throughout the day.
References:
1 Saudi to See Widespread Rain, Stormy Conditions This Weekend – KSA Moments – October 29, 2024
2 Civil Defence issues heavy rainfall warning in Saudi Arabia – What’s on – October 27, 2024
3 Heavy rainfall forecast across Saudi Arabia until Saturday, NCM advises caution – World Gulf – October 29, 2024
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