Saudi storm: Death toll rises to 12

At least 12 persons have lost their lives due to rains and flooding in western Saudi Arabia, while more than 641 persons have been rescued by the Civil Defense officials, and 894 people have been provided shelter, according to a report in Al Khaleej newspaper.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Civil Defense said in a statement that its units have intensified their rescue work during the past 24 hours and providing shelter to those affected.

The body added that the Civil Defense units received 3,823 messages in the last 24 hours, asking them to rescue those stranded.

The Civil Defense added that the search and rescue operations are still on for those missing in three affected areas of the Kingdom.

However, the authorities confirmed on its Twitter handle that six children had died in Yanboa’a and Ha’ail and on the outskirts of the coastal city of Jeddah. They had either drowned or were swept away by the water torrent.

The Civil Defense said that rescue unit members had found the body of a child trapped in the valley and had taken to hospital.

Al Madinah recorded the highest rate of precipitation with about 22 millimeters of rainfall, and light to moderate rains in Al Ta’aif, Al Shifa, Al Hawyah, Al Saeel and Al Kabeer areas.

For the third consecutive day this week, schools and universities remained closed in some northwest areas of Saudi Arabia.

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