The truth about Riyadh flooding: Meteorology clarifies details of the rainfall and the circulating videos
The official spokesperson for the National Center for Meteorology, Hussein Al-Qahtani, settled the controversy surrounding the recent rainfall in the capital, Riyadh, categorically denying the validity of the circulating videos showing drownings and floods in some locations, and confirming that the rainfall was within normal and promising levels.
Details of the rain situation in Riyadh
Al-Qahtani explained that the rain that fell on the city of Riyadh was characterized in general as “dry rain,” which is a type of continuous, moderately heavy rain that is absorbed by the ground and is considered beneficial to the soil and groundwater, interspersed with some moderate to heavy rainfall in specific neighborhoods, accompanied by hail during the evening periods.
The official spokesperson revealed the exact figures for the amounts of rainfall recorded through the monitoring stations, where the highest amount of rainfall within the capital, Riyadh, reached 12 mm, while the King Khalid Reserve recorded the highest amount in the region at 24 mm, which are rates that do not warrant the concern raised by the rumors.
The phenomenon of misleading videos and their impact
In a related context, Al-Qahtani warned against being misled by old or fabricated videos circulating on social media platforms that do not reflect the actual weather conditions. The phenomenon of reposting videos of old floods or videos from other geographical areas recurs with every rainfall event in the Kingdom, causing confusion among the public and unwarranted fear among residents.
The importance of obtaining information from official sources
The National Center for Meteorology stressed the importance of relying exclusively on official channels for weather information, such as the automated early warning system and the center's verified accounts. This comes at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing significant advancements in weather monitoring technologies, making the forecasts and data issued by the center highly accurate and reliable, ultimately aimed at protecting lives and property.
Seasonal context and safety guidelines
These rains come as part of the Wasim and winter season in the Kingdom’s regions, which is usually characterized by weather fluctuations that require caution and adherence to the Civil Defense’s guidelines, such as staying away from valleys and flood channels and avoiding low-lying areas, while enjoying the rainy weather without putting oneself at risk.
