RIYADH/DAMMAM: Heavy clouds blanketed Riyadh City as rainfall, and intermittent hail, that started Monday night, continued on Tuesday. The temperature during the day dropped sharply forcing people to remain indoors or wear heavy winter clothing outdoors. There were also reports of heavy rain and fog in Dammam and some traffic accidents. Rains in Riyadh led to 382 non-fatal traffic accidents Tuesday, according to an official from the capital's Traffic Department. “The Operations Center received 1,216 calls from the morning to early afternoon,” said Hassan Al-Hassan. “We sent out extra manpower and equipment, but the biggest obstacle was the build-up of rain waters at numerous sites in the capital. The worst hit sites were Exit Nine in the westerly direction, Al-Mi'dhar Underpass heading north, and exits one, three, four, and five. I would urge the public to drive with great caution.” Schools witnessed, in what is a period of habitually high absenteeism prior to examinations, a turn out of less than five percent Monday. An Education Administration official said that a decision to cancel classes rests, however, with the regional council. “Such a decision would also depend on the view of the committee set up by the Civil Defense which has education representatives on it, and the committee also consults the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment,” he said. “Any such decision would be announced in the media.” The Riyadh Mayor's Office, meanwhile, sent out water tankers and pumps and removed over 130,000 cubic meters from various sites. “The mayoralty was completely prepared for the wet season,” one official said. “Over 200 units were at the ready, as were a large number of tankers to take away pumped water.” The mayoralty, he added, had also drafted in more than 8,500 trained cleaning workers to return rain-hit sites to their former condition. Muhammad Babidhan, Supervisor, Forecast Department, Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), told Saudi Gazette that the minimum temperature in Riyadh and surrounding areas will drop to 2 degrees Celsius over the next two days. He said the moderate rainfall that started Monday night will continue during the next three days up to midday Friday. “There will also be fog over the next two days particularly in the early morning and late at night. This will reduce visibility,” he said. The maximum temperature will be around 16 degrees Celsius, he said. Meanwhile, the Eastern Province woke up to rain on Tuesday which had been falling since Monday midnight. Some of the roads were flooded in the region. Thick fog also enveloped some areas. The sun was blocked by heavy clouds causing darkness in the afternoon. The Meteorology Department reported moderate rain in most parts of Dammam, Khobar, Al-Hassa, Qatif and Jubail which will continue in the coming two days. Residents of Jubail, Al-Hassa and some parts of Qatif reported heavy rain at around 1 A.M. on Tuesday morning. The Eastern Province's major highways were completely wet and slippery forcing motorists to reduce their speed. There were many traffic accidents reported on the Jubail to Dammam highways. Several areas in and around the first industrial estate, the Dammam women's college area and Saihat area were waterlogged. Several parts of downtown Dammam, especially some of the inner roads were flooded. Water had accumulated in Madinathual Ummal, Adama, Al-Moajil, Abdulla Fouad, and Mazrouhea areas. According to the municipal authorities, the fire brigades and Red Crescent are well equipped with water pumps to remove water if necessary. Many tankers were also ready to pump out water. The Eastern Province can expect more rain, cold nights and foggy mornings over the next few days, according to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) in Dhahran. The weather forecaster issued precautionary warnings to motorists to be extra careful when driving during the early morning when visibility is reduced because of fog. Fishermen have also been warned about the fog. “Shamal winds, the northwesterly wind blowing over the Arabian Sea and the Gulf region, will bring cooler weather, decreasing temperatures that will hover between 16 degrees Celsius to 17 degrees Celsius,” the weather forecaster said. As in previous years, some streets will be flooded. Municipal trucks with facilities to pump away water are expected to be ready to take action in flooded areas.
