Mecca underwater: massive floods paralyze Saudi Arabia
Severe rains have struck Saudi Arabia, flooding streets, homes, and schools. A red alert has been issued in affected regions, prompting evacuations.
Photo: pixabay.com
Heavy rains continue to cause catastrophic flooding in Saudi Arabia, affecting Mecca, Jeddah, and Medina, according to a report by The Daily Mail.
The National Meteorological Center has declared a red alert for these regions.
Eyewitnesses report that city streets have turned into rivers with fast-moving torrents of water. Vehicles have been partially or fully submerged, forcing many drivers to abandon their cars and flee to safety.
Shocking footage on social media shows residents navigating the raging waters on foot or by floating.
Schools in eastern regions and the capital, Riyadh, have suspended in-person classes and transitioned to online learning.
In Medina, emergency services are working to address the aftermath of the disaster: pumping water out of buildings, repairing air conditioning systems, and restoring electricity.
Floods are not uncommon in Saudi Arabia, particularly in winter, but the scale of destruction this time is unprecedented.
The primary cause is attributed to underdeveloped urban infrastructure, including drainage and sewage systems.
Residents fear a repeat of the catastrophic 2009 Jeddah floods, which claimed over 100 lives. The Saudi government is making efforts to mitigate the damage, but the disaster remains a significant challenge for the region.
Earlier it was reported that severe floods in Italy's Tuscany and central France led to emergencies: in Italy, the Cornia River overflowed, submerging towns, while in France, torrential rains caused the largest flood in 40 years, prompting rescue operations.
Additionally, it was reported that during the September floods, the Polish government expanded the disaster zone in the country's southwest, adding four new districts in Lower Silesia.