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Downpour Shuts Schools across Saudi Arabia | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Floods across Riyadh, March 12, Asharq Al Awsat


Riyadh- After lashing downpour flooded several areas of the country, the Saudi Education Department decided to suspend the education process on all levels and close down schools as of Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and all other associated governorates.

Mubarak Al-Osaimi, spokesman of the ministry, said that the ministry has taken this decision out of its keenness on the safety of students, especially in the wake of the forecast of the Presidency of Meteorology and the Environment (PME), the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Civil Defense received over four thousand notices which included 26 cases of people trapped by overwhelming floods and 56 other vehicles breaking down in waterlogged roads in Riyadh.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar held an emergency meeting with relevant agencies to discuss the PME warning. He instructed officials to be ready for any emergencies and urged citizens and residents to be cautious.

Civil Defense repeatedly circulated warnings on impending weather turbulences, so that citizens and residents keep their guard for sudden changes of weather which are expected to continue over the upcoming few days.

The Civil Defense official outlet clarified that reports of the Saudi Arabia Presidency of Meteorology and Environment indicate that the upcoming weather fluctuations and high chances of downpour accompanied with thunderstorms will affect many areas including Medina, Mecca and Jeddah.

All afflicted areas are to take all necessary procedures to coordinate with other departments in cases of emergency, in addition to all citizens and residents following precautionary instructions broadcasted over the upcoming period on visual or radio media outlets and social networks.