Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has been hit by torrential downpours, leading to significant flooding across the city. The Saudi Arabian Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mecca, Madinah, and Jeddah, where infrastructure struggles to cope with heavy rainfall.
This deluge follows record-breaking rainfall experienced in the Gulf states during April and May of the previous year, which resulted in numerous fatalities. Jeddah, known for its flooding issues, has a history of severe weather events, including a catastrophic flood in 2009 that claimed over 100 lives.
Urban planners in the region have faced criticism for inadequate drainage systems, which are ill-equipped to handle the increasing frequency of heavy rains. The recent storms have prompted school closures and the transition to online classes in various areas.
In Dubai, the flooding also disrupted airport operations, forcing cancellations of numerous flights as travelers sought shelter from the relentless downpour. Experts have dismissed speculation that cloud-seeding contributed to the flooding, attributing the extreme weather to a significant atmospheric system affecting the region.