Two people have died while several people remain trapped inside submerged vehicles following a devastating flood that struck Jeddah, Saudi Arabian port city.
The torrential rains bring back chilling memories 13 years ago when the port city witnessed torrential rain and flooding, accompanied by storms, thunder, and lightning in most parts of the governorate.
The Saudi civil defence spokesperson in the Mecca province announced the deaths on Twitter and urged residents to remain indoors unless for emergencies.
The floods have also caused flight disruptions at King Abdulaziz International Airport, school closures and blocked the road to Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, state media reported.
The Saudi Arabia’s National Centre for Meteorology said the rainfall in Jeddah’s southern area between 8am and 2pm on Thursday, which stood at 179 millimetres, was the “highest” ever recorded. It exceeded the amount of rainfall registered in 2009 when dozens of people died in flash floods.
Several streets in Jeddah residential neighbourhoods remain flooded due to the torrential rain, causing breakdown of many vehicles.
Swimmers from Jeddah Civil Defense have rescued many motorists trapped inside their vehicles submerged in the inundated King Abdullah Road tunnel. Many cars submerged in water in an eastern Jeddah street, which was completely shut as a result of the heavy rain.
On November 25, 2009, some 122 people died and at least 3,000 vehicles swept away or damaged in the flooding, which was the worst in 27 years.