Emir of Asir Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdul Aziz said all tourists in the region are safe and no deaths or injuries have been reported due to torrential rains that hit the region on Sunday and killed three citizens in the Al-Harja and Tihama areas. He said squads of security men, who have rescued several people, are deployed on highways and roads leading to the valleys and stressed that the men closely watch the movement of the tourists to ensure their safety. “The Civil Defense teams have freed a number of expatriates and citizens trapped at Tyia and Damo Valleys in Mahail Asir and also some people trapped on Sha'ar and Al-Makhada Road,” Abdul Aziz said. He said the heavy rains caused limited damage to property. Abdul Aziz said great efforts are being exerted by the agencies in charge, especially the Civil Defense Administration, which provide around-the-clock aid. Abdul Aziz added that he has been following the situation minute-by-minute and takes immediate action to address problems. He made it clear that everyone affected by the rains will be compensated and indicated that the Civil Defense has a well-defined procedure for determining how many people have been affected by the storm. He said there is enough time to implant this procedure. Abdul Aziz expects that more tourists and holidaymakers will visit the region in the days ahead to enjoy the magnificent scenery and greenery, which the region is distinguished for and noted that the rainfall attracts a lot of tourists. He said security authorities are strictly monitoring the quality of the services being provided at furnished flats, hotels, resorts and tourist villages.
