Rare Storm Unleashes Urban Flooding
Heavy rainfall and stormy winds battered Jeddah on 9 December, turning major roads into rivers and forcing authorities to issue emergency alerts across the Makkah region. Despite extensive flooding in low-lying districts, officials confirmed that no casualties were reported — a sharp contrast to the deadly incidents in 2009 and 2022.
The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) issued a red alert warning for flash floods, hail, reduced visibility, and winds reaching up to 60 km/h. The sudden downpour soaked Jeddah, Rabigh, and Khulais, plunging the bustling port city into hours of traffic paralysis as cars were submerged and mobility came to a standstill.
Viral Images Capture the City Underwater
Social media was flooded with videos from Al Hamdaniyah, Yasmeen, and Shara Makarona, where streets transformed into fast-moving streams. Some clips showed residents wading through waist-deep water while stranded vehicles drifted with the current, highlighting the intensity of the flash floods.
Disaster monitoring platforms reported that several families remained confined indoors as local authorities urged citizens to avoid valleys, underpasses, and low-elevation neighborhoods until runoff levels receded. Emergency crews worked overnight to clear waterlogged areas and reopen key routes.
Schools Move Online Amid Weather Emergency
The Education Department shifted schools in Jeddah, Rabigh, and Khulais to remote learning due to poor visibility and high accident risk. Civil Defense teams continued surveillance across vulnerable zones, coordinating with municipal units to manage drainage and public safety.
Rain-soaked visuals from across the region dominated Instagram and X, offering a dramatic view of daily life disrupted in one of Saudi Arabia’s most important urban corridors.
Red Sea International Film Festival Forced to Shut
Cultural activities also came to a halt as the Red Sea International Film Festival announced an emergency suspension of all events. Organizers instructed international guests to remain sheltered at hotels, cinema venues, or the Red Sea Souk trade floor as heavy rainfall posed safety concerns.
Evening screenings, including Riz Ahmed’s keynote, were cancelled. The final public event held before the shutdown was Darren Aronofsky’s “In Conversation” session. The U.S. Consulate also cancelled its scheduled gala due to weather-related risks. Refunds were announced, though plans for rescheduling remain unconfirmed.
Climate Change Raises New Questions for Saudi Cities
Jeddah receives less than two inches of rainfall annually, making such storms rare — yet increasingly frequent in recent years. Experts warn that climate change is amplifying extreme-weather events across the Arabian Peninsula, placing pressure on urban infrastructure and drainage systems.
Authorities have invested in upgraded flood-management systems, but analysts highlight the need for further resilience planning, particularly given Jeddah’s critical role as the gateway for millions of pilgrims traveling to Makkah.
City Begins to Recover as Skies Clear
By the morning of 10 December, rainfall had eased and residents stepped out to capture rare, rain-washed views of the desert city. Although Jeddah briefly shimmered under a fresh, reflective sheen, authorities warned that more rain may follow and advised continued caution.
Emergency teams remain deployed across affected districts to restore full normalcy, while NCM continues to monitor evolving weather patterns for the week ahead.
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