Heavy rain brought Tabuk to a standstill on Tuesday, causing severe flooding on the region’s roads, with cars breaking down, walls falling over, trees uprooted and power cuts.

The heavy rainfall lasted for only an hour on Tuesday but caused severe problems because of the seemingly poor drainage systems in the region. The downpour began at 10 a.m.

Tabuk municipality and the Civil Defense have started relief and mopping-up operations with the help of citizens and expatriates in several localities across the city, according to witnesses.

Schools and other education institutions were hit hard as parents and bus drivers struggled to navigate the flooded roads, Hisham A. Baslan told Arab News over the phone. He said several vehicles had broken down in the streets, while traffic signals were also not working.

The nearby governorates of Haql, Bada, Halat Ammar and Sharmah were severely affected as several valleys and tributary rivers flooded their banks, according to officials.

“We received 34 calls for help from citizens who were stuck in their cars, experienced power cuts, and the collapse of trees and walls, on Tuesday morning,” said Col. Mamduh Al-Anzi, spokesperson of the Civil Defense.

He said five school buses were stuck in waterlogged streets and 18 vehicles had to be pulled out of flooded areas. Al-Anzi said the Civil Defense is monitoring weather conditions. It had issued a caution on Monday of potential rain in the province.

The highway connecting the Kingdom to Jordan has been flooded, said sources. The rain stopped late Tuesday, but heavy clouds are hanging over the region. More rain is expected, according to weather reports.