Saudi authorities call for caution as thunderstorms, hail expected until Tuesday

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have called for caution after warning of continued chances of thunderstorms in most regions of the Kingdom from Friday until Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense called for the need for people to stay in safe places and away from areas where floodwaters accumulated. It advised people not to swim in such areas as they constituted a danger, and for them to adhere to instructions announced through media outlets and social networking sites.

The authority said that the Makkah region will be affected by moderate to heavy downpours that may lead to torrential rains, hail, and very fast-descending winds that raise dust. Such conditions may affect Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Al-Jamoum, Al-Kamil, Adham, Al-Ardiyat, Maysan, Al-Khurmah, Tarbah, Raniyah, Al-Muwayh, Bahrah, Rabigh, Khulais, Al-Laith, and Al-Qunfudhah.

The Riyadh region is also expected to be affected, including the capital, Al-Majmaah, Rumah, Al-Zulfi, Al-Ghat, Thadiq, Shaqra, Murat, Al-Dawadmi, Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahimiyah, Al-Hariq, Al-Quwayiyah, Afif, and Al-Aflaj, as well as the regions of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Borders, and Al-Qassim.