Riyadh: The Saudi National Center of Meteorology and Civil Defense has issued a stern warning regarding anticipated moderate to heavy rainfall throughout April, extending possibly into the subsequent season.
Dr. Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the center, said April's historical pattern of heightened precipitation.
He said, “The center monitors the Kingdom’s atmosphere around the clock and works with the concerned authorities in the various regions and governorates to deal with the weather phenomena to provide the necessary information and facilitate their practical and field tasks to protect lives and property”.
Highlighting the potential risks, Hussein Al-Qahtani, NCM spokesperson, urged citizens and residents to exercise extreme caution during this period, particularly noting the likelihood of above-average rainfall persisting through the remaining days of Ramadan.
Al-Qahtani further mentioned the erratic weather characteristic of spring, suggesting that this year might witness lesser rainfall compared to previous years.
Notably, on Tuesday, southern regions experienced a significant downpour, recording 75.2 millimeters of rainfall.
In light of such conditions, the Civil Defense has advised the public to steer clear of low-lying areas prone to flooding, emphasizing safety measures to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, the authority has issued a strict warning, announcing fines of up to SR10,000 ($2,666) for individuals found crossing valleys during this period, aiming to deter any recklessness that could endanger lives and property.