Saudi announces 1 dead 7 missing in Riyadh's floods

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-11-18 22:13:24

Saudi Arabia has reported one death and seven missing cases because of heavy rains in the capital of Riyadh, while 800 others trapped in the floods were rescued, according to Saudi Press Agency Monday.

The dead person was identified by the police as a 25-year-old Yemeni woman who fell in the flood when she was trying to escape the heavy rain with her husband.

The Civil Defense has received more than 5,501 rescue calls within the last 24 hours because of the rain in different parts of Saudi Arabia, of which 4766 cases were in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia shutdown schools and workplaces this week because of heavy rains, and authorities have been calling upon people to avoid flood areas.

The metrological department expected the thunder storms and rain that hit east and parts of the middle of Saudi Arabia to continue for the coming days.

Saudi Arabia has been witnessing thunder storms in the last two years. Worst cases of casualties and damages during such storms were reported in Jeddah floods in which 10 died in 2011 and 123 died in 2009.

Posted in: Mid-East

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