DAMMAM, 3 November — Heavy rains, accompanied by gale, hit the Eastern Province yesterday bringing the temperature down and signaling the arrival of winter.

Weathermen said more rains are in the air in the next 24 hours.

The sky was overcast since Friday afternoon. The downpour started early yesterday disrupting traffic and flooding many low-lying areas in Dammam, Al-Khobar, Qatif and Al-Ahsa.

After a brief respite in the afternoon, heavy rainfall resumed in the evening when it looked more like a cloud burst.

Visibility was almost zero and motorists were forced to take shelter under the bridges, at petrol pumps or parking lots. Almost all the roads leading to Dammam and Al-Khobar were flooded with rain waters. Some residential quarters in Rakah area were completely cut off, forcing residents to stay indoors.

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection said the rains came a little too early this year. It forecast moderate rains for the year.

“It will certainly break the dry spell the region has been experiencing for two-three years,” an official at the presidency said.

As it rained, Dammam Municipality was caught off guard. Rakah area and the coastal road, both with poor drainage system, were heavily flooded after the rains. Municipal authorities usually commission water pumps in these areas around this time of the year in order to pump out the floodwater.

However, yesterday’s rainfall saw the authorities swing into action. Water pumps were being put in place at several low-lying areas in Dammam, Al-Khobar, Thuqba and Rakah.

Heavy rains, however, did not disrupt air traffic though evening flights reported minor delays. Train service between Dammam and Riyadh also remained normal barring a few late arrivals.

But the traffic on the Jubail Highway was badly affected by the downpour. A few minor road accidents and resultant traffic jams were reported. The traffic department anticipating chaos on the roads was already on alert.

On the city streets, many vehicles were stranded in flood waters. Traffic police were busy towing away such vehicles facilitating smooth flow of traffic.

Farmers in Al-Ahsa, Sihat and Qatif area welcomed the rain saying a few more such downpour would ensure a good harvest this year.