Heavy rains lashed Eastern Province since last night and continued till late morning hours, disrupting school traffic, forcing many Schools to declare rainy day.
Clouds have been building up since yesterday late afternoon. The General Authority of Meteorology and Environment Protection has warned of thunderstorm accompanied by strong winds in the regions of Eastern Province, Riyadh, and Tabuk.
The Authority’s report stated that the surface wind movement in the Red Sea is northerly to westerly northerly at speed of 15-45 km/h, while the surface wind movement in the Arabian Gulf is southerly to westerly southerly at speed of 15-40.
Inclement weather since last Sunday has disrupted normal life in the Eastern Province.
Showers accompanied by thunderstorm and in some areas hailstorm paralyzed the life in the cities of Dammam, Dhahran, Al-Khobar, Qatif, Hofuf and Jubail.
Early morning saw huge traffic jams on the highways to Jubail and Al-Khobar. and causing water logging in the low lying areas and disrupting the traffic causing massive traffic jams at Dammam-Alkobar Highway and King Fad Road leading to the airport and several other areas in Dammam and Al-Khobar.
The worst impact of rain was at all the under bridges along King Fahd Road. Most of them were closed to the traffic due to heavy flooding. At one under bridge on road leading to the King Fahd International Airport few cars were seen floating above the water.
Educational institutions were worst afFected by the inclement weather and continuous drizzle. Most of the international schools that are preparing their students for final examinations did not have option but to declare a “rainy Day” causing great hardship to youngsters and their parent.
In old city’s low lying areas particularly in Thugba and Bayouni in Al-Khobar and Al- Khodariya, Anoud and mazrouiya in Dammam were the worst affected areas where logged water brought traffic to a standstill.
The municipality has installed pumps at all flood-prone locations and water is being pumped out continuously. But still people in some areas in Rakah were marooned due to logged water.
Most of the shopping malls and business centers wore deserted look as chilly winds and continuous drizzle forced residents to remain indoors.
The Coast Guard has issued warning to people to avoid going into deep waters. All the sea side sites in Dammam, Al-Khobar, Aziziyah and Half Moon Beach remain deserted.
Traffic Department has tough time in managing the traffic jams, especially in Al-Khobar and Dammam where several new flyovers are being constructed resulting in diversion of traffic to narrow lanes.
Although there were no report of major accident, but Jubail highway did report some minor mishaps.
Traffic Control at King Fahd International Airport reported normal flights and landings as visibility was nearly 8 kilometers. Timing of train service between Dammam and Riyadh were readjusted.
Weatherman has warned of more rains accompanied by thunderstorm during the next 48 hours. Residents are now bracing for chilly weather as normally after winter rains the region experience Easterly wind ( Shumal) and considerable fall in temperature.
SOURCE : ALBILAD
