Red alert: Heavy rain in Mecca and Asir, and important warnings
The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an urgent warning, classified as a "red alert," forecasting heavy rainfall in Mecca and Asir in the coming hours. These warnings come as part of the authorities' commitment to the safety of citizens and residents, as several regions in the Kingdom are experiencing significant weather fluctuations that require the utmost caution.
Red alert details and forecasts of heavy rainfall in Mecca and Asir
The report issued by the National Center for Meteorology indicated that the expected weather conditions include heavy rainfall in Makkah and Asir, specifically in the governorates of Al-Khurmah, Al-Muwayh, Turabah, and Ranyah in the Makkah region. In the Asir region, the warning includes the cities of Abha, Ahad Rafidah, and Khamis Mushait. This weather system is accompanied by extremely dangerous effects, including very strong winds, complete lack of horizontal visibility, hail, flash floods in valleys and ravines, and intense thunderstorms.
The geographical and climatic nature of the affected areas
Historically, the southwestern highlands of the Kingdom, particularly the Asir region, are known for receiving significantly higher rainfall than other parts of the country. This is due to their mountainous terrain, which plays a crucial role in the formation of cumulonimbus clouds. On the other hand, the Makkah region is characterized by an extensive network of valleys descending from the Sarawat Mountains towards the coastal plain, making flash floods a common occurrence during the rainy season. This geographical nature necessitates robust infrastructure and ongoing floodwater drainage projects, which the Saudi government prioritizes to protect lives and property.
The importance and expected effects of weather fluctuations
These climate changes have far-reaching impacts at both the local and regional levels. Locally, these rains contribute to replenishing groundwater reserves and support the agricultural sector, which is heavily reliant on rainwater in areas like Asir. However, the heavy rainfall and flash floods necessitate a full mobilization of civil defense teams and security forces to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and prevent accidents. Regionally, these extreme weather events reflect the climate changes occurring in the Arabian Peninsula, where the frequency and intensity of rainstorms and flash floods have increased in recent years, prompting countries in the region to strengthen their climate change adaptation strategies.
Weather conditions in the Eastern Province and reduced visibility
The warnings were not limited to the west and south of the Kingdom, but extended to the Eastern Province as well. The National Center for Meteorology issued a warning of expected light rain accompanied by active winds and dust storms. This rainy weather is expected to begin in Hafr Al-Batin Governorate at 3:00 PM and continue until 10:00 PM, accompanied by reduced horizontal visibility and thunderstorms.
In a related development, the governorates of Al-Ahsa and Abqaiq are experiencing a dust storm from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, reducing horizontal visibility to between 3 and 5 kilometers. Coastal cities such as Jubail, Khobar, Dammam, Dhahran, Qatif, and Ras Tanura are also expected to be affected by strong winds reaching speeds of up to 49 kilometers per hour, causing high waves and reduced visibility. This phenomenon warrants caution for fishermen and those venturing out to sea.
