25 Saudis killed in heavy rain, floods

Twenty-five people were killed and three still missing due to recent heavy rains and floods in Saudi Arabia, Director General of Civil Defense Saad Al-Tuwaijri said in a statement on Monday. Al-Tuwaijri said nine of those killed were in Riyadh Region, seven in Al-Taef province, six in Al-Baha, two in Asseer Region, and one in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Region, while three still missing, two in Al-Baha valleys and one in Hail Region. Al-Tuwaijri added that his rescue teams were able to rescue more than 6,800 people affected by rains and floods, and provide urgent shelter and accommodation for more than 4,700 persons. The Saudi official noted that more than 700 civil defense personnel were deployed in certain places where water was expected to overflow, a measure led to the rescue of several people before getting stranded. Al-Tuwaijri said that due to the heavy rains and floods over the last two weeks, as many as 46,900 distress calls from citizens and expatriates all over the Kingdom seeking help to overcome different problems were reported.