Saudi warns of heavy rains, thunderstorms in Taif

Saudi’s General Authority for Meteorology and Environmental Protection issued an alert warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Taif region, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The adverse weather conditions are expected to persist until Monday night, the authority said.

The General Administration of Civil Defence in Taif confirmed that it is prepared for any emergency as a result of the continued rainfall, which could lead to floods in valleys in the region.

Plans and measures were put in place with the participation of government agencies.

Safety patrols, rescue teams, supported boats, fully equipped technical equipment, and people trained to deal with the emergency have been deployed, officials said.

They are prepared to “intervene immediately and directly” in cases that require it.

Civil Defence officials also urged citizens and residents in the area not to take risks in the valleys and water-collecting sites.

Saudi has seen scattered rainfall across the country.

On Sunday, the first day of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, heavy rains and thunderstorms were recorded in Makkah.

More than two million Muslim pilgrims from all over the world have gathered in the holy city.

Several hours of heavy rain forced pilgrims to take cover in tents and trudge through puddles.

However, officials confirmed that there was no sign of any outbreaks of disease and that they were prepared to deal with any health emergency.

Read more: Heavy rains, thunderstorms in Makkah as Muslims begin Hajj pilgrimage