NIGHTMARE OF NOV. 25, 2009 FLOODS RETURNS TO HAUNT JEDDAWIS OTHER CITIES ALSO AFFECTED JEDDAH: Heavy rain lashed Jeddah Wednesday – evoking memories of the 2009 disaster - flooding main thoroughfares, causing traffic gridlocks and power outages across the city. A fire also broke out at Hera Mall. However, Civil Defense teams managed to put out the fire. No deaths or injuries were reported and the authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. The rains badly affected Jeddah suburbs including the city's Al-Quwaizah District. Reports of heavy flooding were received from Umm Al-Khair and Al-Ajwad 1 and 2 districts. Civil Defense teams have reportedly sealed Al-Quwaizah District due to high levels of water in the streets. Brig. Abdullah Jiddawi, Director of the Civil Defense in Jeddah, said 90 percent of the female teachers working in schools situated in Al-Quwaizah District were asked to go home as a precautionary measure. However, there are still 23 female teachers trapped inside a secondary school in the area and efforts for their evacuation are under way. In Umm Al-Khair District, two Civil Defense helicopters evacuated 11 stranded people, who were subsequently shifted to King Abdul Aziz University Hospital. Maj. Gen. Mohammad Al-Harbi, Commander of the Civil Defense Aviation, said air operations are in full swing as there are reports of people stranded at Palestine Street. Keeping in mind the flow of flash floods from the east of the governorate, the Civil Defense called on stranded people to move to higher ground to avoid drowning. The ground floor of the King Abdulaziz University Hospital was also inundated with floodwater leading to the postponement of all surgeries scheduled for Wednesday morning. Dr. Turki Al-Sharif, acting Director of Health Affairs, said the health department has still not raised the alert level in the governorate from yellow to red. He said hospitals in the governorate have made all the necessary arrangements to cope with any emergency situation. Reports of power outages were also received from Jeddah and cars were seen floating in many low-lying neighborhoods. Among the major thoroughfares that came under heavy flooding was Madina Road, which leads to the airport. People also reported accidents on roads, adding that there was total chaos in the city. Meanwhile, heavy rains also lashed Riyadh region and its governorates and centers, and most parts of the Kingdom, Wednesday. Medium to heavy rains also fell over Shaqra and surrounding areas, in addition to heavy downpours over Dhrumah Governorate's villages. There was also a report that medium to heavy rain lashed the Eastern Province including Al-Ahsa, Al-Khobar, Dhahran, Al-Qateef, Abqaiq, Ras Tanoura and Hafr Al-Batin. Meanwhile, sources told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that Civil Defense rescue teams in Taif and Al-Muwaih rushed to Al-Ruwaila village in the north of Al-Muwaih because it was hit by flashfloods throughout the night. Col. Khalid Al-Qahtani, spokesman for the Civil Defense in Taif, said they had to direct traffic to-and-from the village. There was no damage reported. Meanwhile, the Frontier Guard in the Eastern Province prevented boat owners in Al-Khafji Governorate from sailing because of the rainfall and bad weather. Col. Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, spokesman for the Frontier Guard in the Eastern Province, said there was no sea accidents reported as a result of the torrential rains. He said only a few boats went out. He urged boat owners to contact the Frontier Guard so that they could be briefed on the weather conditions and whether it was safe to go to sea. He also called on boat owners to make sure they have all the safety equipment. Col. Ali Al-Zahrani, Spokesman of the Traffic Department in the Eastern Province, said there were 53 accidents registered because of the rains, resulting in four injuries and one death. A report by the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection (PME) showed that torrential rains hit Madina and its suburbs, in addition to heavy downpours over Al-Qassim Region including Buraidah City and Unaiza, Al-Rass, Al-Bikeiriah, Al-Badayea, Al-Mudhnib, Al-Nabhania, Al-Asyah, Uyoon Al-Jawa, Al-Shamasiah, and Riyadh Al-Khabra governorates.
