At least 30 people were killed as a result of accidents caused by rain and floods in various parts of Saudi Arabia in recent days, according to the Directorate General of Civil Defence.
It said 10 people died in Makkah, five in Al Baha, three each in Asir and the Eastern Province, two each in Hail, Jazan and Tabuk and one each in Riyadh, Al Jouf and Najran, Saudi Gazette reported.
The Civil Defence said as many as 1,480 people were rescued during the week ending on Tuesday - 367 in Riyadh, 351 in the Eastern Province, 235 in Al Jouf, 183 in Makkah, 125 in Al Baha, 96 in Madinah, 32 in Hail, 30 in Qasim, 25 in Tabuk, 12 in the Northern Border Province, seven in Najran and five in Jazan.
According to the Civil Defence, most of the deaths were caused by electrocution in water-logged areas.
It said as many as 3,865 people were evacuated from rain-stricken areas to safe places.
Of these 3,616 people were evacuated in Al Jouf province, it said, adding that 187 people were taken to safety in the Eastern Province, 23 in Najran, 15 in Riyadh, 10 in Makkah, and seven each in Qassim and Tabuk.
More than 2,000 evacuees, the majority of whom in Al Jouf, were accommodated in tents specially constructed for the purpose.
Eight committees were set up to assess the material damage to properties caused by rain and floods.
Meanwhile, the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection expected rains to continue during the week in a number of areas including Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Makkah, Hail, Qassim, Al Jouf and others.
The General Directorate of Civil Defence urged citizens and expatriates all over Saudi Arabia to take utmost precaution in view of the warning issued by the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection about the continued inclement weather, heavy rain and flash floods that are expected to hit most parts of the kingdom.
It also warned picnickers and desert travellers to stay away from valleys and reefs during heavy rain or flash floods, and not to risk crossing flood passages.
The education department in Al Qassim and Hafar Al Batin announced suspension of classes for all schools on Thursday in view of the bad weather.
Al Qassim University and Hafar Al Batin University also suspended classes on Thursday.
(With inputs from SPA)