Heavy Rains Cause Disruptions in Central, Eastern Provinces of Saudi Arabia

RIYADH/DAMMAM, Jan 19, 2011 (Arab News): The sun remained hidden behind dark clouds due to heavy downpour from that started since early hours of the morning on Tuesday. Incessant Rains have deluged the roads in Dammam region and there is no sign of relief for at least for the next 24 hours as per Mohammad Al-Qahtani, an official from the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection (PME) in Dammam. The deluge has put traffic out of gear.

"These rains are good for the region," he said. "They are a welcome relief, especially since they have come at almost the end of the winter season." Opined Mr. Al-Qahtani

Another PME official from Riyadh described weather conditions as "unstable" due to low pressure in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He said winds were blowing at 15 to 38 km per hour from the northwest toward the west in the Red Sea, while in the Arabian Gulf they have been blowing northeasterly at 10 to 30 km per hour.

Officials from the Saudi Red Crescent (SRC) were on high alert on the highway to help anyone affected by road accidents.

In the Eastern Province, it rained throughout the day sending the Mercury below 10 degrees Celsius.

Motorists had their hazard lights on and traffic on the Dammam-Alkhobar Highway moved at a snail's pace during the morning rush hours. Maghreb and Isha prayers were combined at many Masjids in the region, in conformance of sunnah of the prophet.

On a directive from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, rain prayers were conducted Monday morning throughout the Kingdom in line with the Prophet's traditions to perform "istisqa" prayers in case of drought or delay in rainfall.

"Istisqa" prayers were also performed at universities and schools in various provinces of the Kingdom.

Istisqa prayer at the Grand Mosque was attended by Undersecretary of Makkah Province Abdulaziz Al-Khudhairi.

The prayer was led by Sheikh Osama bin Abdullah Khayyat, who urged Muslims to adhere to the Holy Qur'an and Prophet's Sunnah, calling on them to pray to Allah for forgiveness, repentance and the rainfall.

In Madinah, Undersecretary of the province Suleiman Al-Juraish attended the prayer at the Prophet's Mosque.

The prayer was led by Sheikh Salah Al-Budair. He called on Muslims in his sermon to repent their misdeeds and to beseech Allah for rainfall.

Submitted By: Arshad Kadli, Bhatkallys Representative Eastern Province