Saudi schools in some areas closed after Met warning for Tuesday

The Ministry of Education has declared a holiday on Tuesday for all schools in Riyadh, Qassim, Hail and in the Eastern Province. The ministry issued the directive as a precautionary measure following Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Protection (PME) projections of expected inclement weather conditions in these areas from Monday night. The decision was taken following reports and warnings from the PME that thunderstorms and heavy rains were expected in these regions during the next 24 hours from Monday night, said Ministry of Education spokesman Mohammed Saad Al-Dukhaini. Al-Dukhaini added that the notice of closure was being issued only to schools in these four regions and applied to students, teachers and administrative staff. Mosaed Al-Mujahid, the ministry’s supervisor of foreign and community schools in Riyadh, told Arab News that the ministry took the decision to stop students and teachers having to commute to schools in potentially hazardous conditions. However, he added that schools would reopen on Wednesday. The International Indian School in Dammam (IISD) Principal Mohammad Shaffe said following the directive from the government they immediately decided to close the school on Tuesday. The school has notified parents. A spokesman from the PME in Jeddah said heavy rains and strong winds of up to 45 km per hour were expected in Riyadh, Qassim, Hail and in the Eastern Province.