Red alert in the Eastern Province: Heavy rains, flash floods, and urgent warnings
The National Center for Meteorology announced today, Thursday, that it has raised the alert level in the Eastern Province to "red," the highest level of warning in the Kingdom's weather alert scale, due to unstable weather conditions directly affecting the northern provinces of the region. These warnings come in response to weather monitoring data indicating heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds and hail, necessitating the utmost caution from citizens and residents.
Weather details and alert distribution
The red alert included the governorates of Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Khafji, Al-Nairiyah, and Qaryat Al-Ulya, where forecasts indicate the formation of dense cumulonimbus clouds that may lead to flash floods in valleys and ravines, in addition to near-zero horizontal visibility. Meanwhile, cities on the eastern coast such as Dammam, Khobar, Jubail, and Qatif received an orange alert, with moderate rainfall expected, coinciding with high waves in the Arabian Gulf and dust storms.
As for Al-Ahsa Governorate, it remained under the umbrella of the “yellow warning”, with expectations of light rain and a relative decrease in visibility, but the competent authorities confirmed that the weather situation is subject to rapid development based on the movement of winds and the influencing weather depressions.
Context of weather fluctuations in the Kingdom
This rainfall is part of the transitional weather patterns that Saudi Arabia typically experiences at this time of year. The Eastern Province is of particular interest in weather monitoring due to its geographical features, coastal location, and status as a vital industrial and economic center. Historically, the Eastern Province experiences moderate to heavy rainfall, and relevant authorities continuously work to develop stormwater drainage infrastructure to mitigate its impact on traffic and daily life.
Safety and Civil Defense Recommendations
In light of these developments, the General Directorate of Civil Defense reiterated its strong warnings to stay away from areas where water accumulates, valleys, and dams, and to avoid attempting to cross flooded areas, no matter how low the water level may appear. It also urged drivers on highways, especially those connecting Dammam, Hafr al-Batin, and the northern regions, to exercise extreme caution due to slippery roads and reduced visibility.
This weather condition is expected to continue until late evening hours on Thursday, with ongoing monitoring by the National Center for Meteorology and security and service authorities to ensure the safety of lives and property.
