RIYADH: The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has forecast thunderstorms, dust and rain in some parts of the Kingdom, including the Two Holy Cities, till Friday, even as the Civil Defense appealed to the people to exercise caution.

The areas that are likely to be affected are Makkah and Madinah (including coastal cities Jeddah, Yanbu, Rabigh) besides Hail, Al-Jouf northern border and northwest of the Saudi Arabia, the PME said on Tuesday.

Advising people in all parts of the Kingdom to remain alert, the Civil Defense also requested them to follow the weather forecast issued regularly by the PME.

Last week, several parts of the country experienced thunderstorms and heavy rain. Similar conditions are expected this week too, according to sources from the PME.

The PME had announced Friday that rain, coupled with thunderstorms, is expected to lash Hail, Qassim, Madinah, the Northern Border province, Al-Jouf, northeastern areas and also spread to Riyadh, Makkah and Baha.

Maj. Nafia Al-Harbi, spokesman of Civil Defense spokesman in Hail, said here on Monday that citizens and residents should follow the safety rules spelt out by the security department. “They should stay in safe locations and avoid going to valleys and areas where water tends to get stagnated.”

Maj. Al-Harbi said his department has made all arrangements to meet any emergency during the anticipated heavy downpour.

Al-Qassim region, which received 77mm rainfall last week, was the second worst affected area due to the rain recently. Several areas went underwater and 17 cars had submerged under water in some ares.

Lt. Col. Fahd Al-Asmar, from Civil Defense in the northern border, said the department is fully equipped to cope with the problems arising from rain and floods. He advised people not to use their mobile phones during the period of thunder and lightning.

Director of Civil Defense in Jazan region, Maj. Gen. Saad bin Al-Ghamdi said that he had formed a committee to supervise the operations during the rain. He commended the services of the courageous officers who helped the Civil Defense to help the distressed people during the recent rain.

Earlier in a statement, Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Abdul Lateef Al Asheikh said all bodies concerned would be coordinating with the respective local bodies to prevent eventualities due to bad weather.

Last week, two people including a woman died in Riyadh due to heavy rain. Four more patients also died in the central hospital due to respiratory problems caused by the changing weather.

Riyadh Civil Defense Spokesman Major Mohammmed Al-Hammadi said that his team rescued 218 people who were caught in the floods, while 125 vehicles were pulled out from water that had stagnated in valleys and plateaus.

Meanwhile, 335 acute asthma patients were treated at the King Saud Hospital in Riyadh (Shumaisi) and four of them died due to heavy respiratory problems, Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Qahtani, head of the emergency department at the hospital, said here.