Authorities ordered schools, universities and colleges closed Tuesday after heavy rains and hail storm sparked flooding and paralyzed Riyadh. “Due to heavy rains in Riyadh and warnings from the Department of Meteorology of the possibility of more heavy rains, Riyadh Emir Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz ordered the suspension of schools and colleges Tuesday,” a statement on SPA said. The capital was brought to a virtual standstill because of heavy rain and wind which lashed the region from early Monday afternoon – resulting in flooded roads, traffic jams and people stranded in their cars and homes. Deputy Emir of Riyadh Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz moved to reassure the public Monday that there was no cause for concern as the capital witnessed heavy downpours and light hail. “The situation is reassuring and there's nothing to worry about,” Prince Sattam said. “The relevant authorities have worked together to take the necessary measures.” Saad Bin Abdullah Al-Tuwaijri, Director General of the Civil Defense, said that officials were put on alert and that aircraft were employed to watch for persons stranded by floods. Dr. Hisham Nazer, Director General of the Health Directorate in Riyadh, said the emergency room is on full alert because it has received a warning from the Presidency of Meteorology and the Environment (PME) and the Civil Defense about the possibility that the bad weather will continue. Capt. Abdullah Al-Ghafari, Spokesman for the Civil Defense in Riyadh, said 90 teams from the Civil Defense have been mobilized to rescue people stranded in some tunnels and districts in Riyadh, particularly the northern and eastern districts. Al-Ghafari said there have been no reports of anyone dying. He said Civil Defense teams have rescued many citizens and residents trapped in their cars and also in some houses. He said Civil Defense helicopters have also been taking part in the rescue operations. He said the Emergency Committee at the mayoralty held an emergency meeting to assess the situation and to monitor the rescue operations. The Committee has provided land and air teams to help people. He said the Civil Defense operations room has also been mobilized to receive reports from citizens and residents. Over 200 teams from the mayoralty have been assigned to pump water from flooded areas and to remove billboards that had collapsed because of the strong winds. Engineer Ali Al-Olayyan, Director General of Operations and Maintenance at the mayoralty, said all the subsidiary municipalities are participating in removing water from districts which are not connected to water and flood drainage systems. Meanwhile, the mayoralty has postponed the inauguration of the heritage and productive families' festival because of the rain.
