Faisal Al-Harthy and Majed Al-Nifaie Okaz/Saudi Gazette TAIF — Twelve vehicles were trapped and damaged on Monday after rocks fell off the side of Mount Kara onto Al-Hada road. Also Al-Hada areas received particularly heavy rains compared to other areas of Taif. “There was a flood of water and rocks down Mount Kara and Taif Taffic Department had to close down Al-Hada Road from 4.30 p.m. on Monday until the late hours of the night. The 12 damaged vehicles were rescued by the Traffic Department, Department of Transport and the Civil Defense,” said the source. He added that the authorities outlined a path for the vehicles to follow to make sure they don't stray further up the mountain. “The Traffic Department marked the park of the flood to revisit the location and fix the damage once the flow of floodwater ebbed,” he added. Taif Traffic Department Director Capt. Khalid Hajari said the department has already started removing the rocks from the road and securing the area. “We have provided drivers with an alternate route to pass through Al-Hada. The traffic police are on the field directing cars and ensuring no collisions happen due to lack of organization in the roads after the flood,” said Capt. Hajari. Taif Civil Defense spokesman Nasser Al-Sharif warned the general public against approaching valleys, swamps and any bodies of water. “Yesterday, there was heavy rain in Al-Kar, Al-Sar and Al-Hada and very light rain in Al-Hawiyah and Al-Shafa,” said Al-Sharif. The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment expects heavy rain accompanied by thunder showers and strong winds for a couple of days. The forecast specifies Al-Hada and Al-Shifa and nearby areas getting heavy rainfall.
