At least two people died yesterday as heavy rains hit western Saudi Arabia, including the coastal city of Jeddah, delaying flights, and forcing schools to close, officials said.
“Two deaths have been recorded so far, and we call on everyone not to go out unless necessary,” the Mecca regional government said on Twitter.
The road connecting Jeddah and Mecca was closed yesterday once the rains began, state media reported, although it was later reopened, authorities said.
The state-affiliated Al Ekhbariya channel showed footage of worshippers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca circling the Kaaba under a heavy downpour.
In Jeddah, images posted to social media showed standing water snarling traffic and partially submerging some vehicles.
The city’s King Abdulaziz International Airport said that “due to weather conditions, the departure of some flights has been delayed” and urged passengers to contact carriers for up-to-date schedules.
Forecasts for today show the possibility of more storms through the afternoon.