Rains damage 51 schools in Tabuk

JEDDAH:At least 51 schools in Tabuk have been damaged by torrential rains that hit the region during the past two days, the Education Department said yesterday. “We have arranged alternative buildings to run the schools from Saturday,” it added. The department held a meeting chaired by Dr. Muhammad Al-Laheedan, director general, to discuss the damages caused by the rains. “We have identified the damaged school buildings after conducting field visits. Some of the students in these schools will be accommodated in nearby institutions,” said Al-Laheedan. He said the department was also following the condition of students displaced by rains and floods. “We’ll arrange transport for students from their temporary housing facilities to new schools.” Meanwhile, the Civil Defense said it was making concerted efforts to bring the situation of Tabuk back to normal. “We have accommodated 1,250 families in furnished apartments and 409 others in suitable buildings. We have also provided accommodation to eight families in Taima, whose homes have been destroyed by floods,” the department said. [caption id="attachment_24103" align="aligncenter" width="580"] A street is turned into a virtual river during a flashflood caused by heavy rain in Tabuk on Jan. 28, 2013. (Reuters)[/caption] ArabNews