RIYADH, 6 December 2003 — Heavy downpours hit the central and northern parts of the Kingdom yesterday, drenching Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Arar, Suleimaniya, the Jelamaid region, Al-Jouf, Tabuk, Wajh and Zulfi.
The rains in Al-Kharj, south of Riyadh, were the heaviest in 25 years, witnesses told Al-Riyadh Arabic daily, resulting in power cuts and disruption in telecommunications in parts of the city.
Many road accidents were also reported in Riyadh due to rains, the paper said, adding that the traffic on the Riyadh-Qasim Road came to a standstill for some time due to flooding. Meteorologists have predicted heavy rains in many parts of the country over the next few days.
Civil defense officers have rescued at least 238 people held up by floods, including 50 in Al-Kharj. A house in Um Sulaim District of Riyadh collapsed, injuring two, as a result of continuous rains, Al-Watan reported.
Civil defense helicopters took part in the rescue operation. “We have rescued 44 flood victims in Hayer and 47 in Dalam with the help of helicopters and ground staff rescued another 54 in Riyadh,” Maj. Gen. Saad Al-Tuwaijeri, director general of civil defense, told Okaz daily.
He said the department had carried out an emergency plan in Al-Kharj in association with other government agencies. Many people did not respond to the department’s call to vacate their houses in dangerous areas. “A special panel has been set up to estimate the damages caused by the rains and floods,” he said.
According to Al-Watan daily, the rains hampered traffic in parts of the capital city. They also flooded a tunnel on the Riyadh-Qasim road inundating a number of vehicles in the tunnel and blocking traffic along the road. Many people who had gone to desert areas for picnics were hit by the flash floods.
The Saudi Electricity Company said its maintenance teams had acted quickly to restore electricity supply to affected areas in Al-Kharj on Thursday.
