DAMMAM — Extreme weather conditions coupled with high humidity have kept residents indoors in many parts of the Kingdom. Jeddah is also witnessing a dreary and humid weather for the past three days. Many parts of the Kingdom has been experiencing high temperatures for the past two weeks, but condition worsened since Friday when humidity reached its peak. However, some regions like Asir and Jazan experienced moderate to heavy rains on Saturday and Sunday. According to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), the condition was not going to improve in the next few weeks. Sultry weather conditions will continue for another week. However, a slight respite in humid conditions after Thursday was expected. The scorching hot and humid evenings have forced residents in Dammam, Al-Khobar, Jubail, Al-Ahsa, Qatif, and Khafji to remain indoors. The beaches which are normally crowded due to summer holidays wore a deserted look. Half Moon Beach, the prime tourist spot in the Eastern Province, saw a thin crowd on Friday. The worst affected is the market place, shopping malls, recreation centers, restaurants and fast food outlets. "The market is at its lowest", said Abdul Aziz Mulhim, a gold Jewelry shop owner in Dammam"s gold market. "Normally this time around business is little low, but not as low as this year", he said. According to rough estimate gold trade has witnessed a decline of nearly 30 percent compared to previous month and over 45 percent compared to last year. Many gold shops in Dammam Souk as well as in Al-Khobar are offering special deals and to attract buyers. "We have slashed jewelry making charges and also reduced our margin of profit on gold, but nothing is working", said an exasperated Al-Mulhim. Meanwhile, the labor department has intensified its vigil on all construction sites to ensure that no worker is forced to work in scorching heat during the prohibited hours. An official at the labor department said that they did receive some complaints and raided the sites. Defaulters were heavily fined.
