Heavy rain brings Gulf cities to near standstill

Doha, Riyadh: Qatar was hit by heavy flooding on Wednesday causing gridlock on the desert country’s roads as well as closures of schools and the US embassy.

Overnight rain made many roads near impassable for commuters amid reports on social media that even Doha’s Hamad International Airport was affected, due to leaks at the estimated $17 billion building, which opened last year.

The heaviest rain - 66 millimetres, according to the Qatar Meteorology Department - fell around the airport but Hamad International said that flights were operating normally, despite the weather conditions.

The US embassy said that the weather had forced it to shut on Wednesday and the offices would not open again until next week.

“Due to inclement weather, the US Embassy in #Qatar will be closed today,” it said on Twitter.

The country’s interior ministry pleaded for drivers to “be cautious” while travelling in the rainy conditions.

World Cup 2022 host Qatar is well-known for its fierce summer temperatures, forcing the tournament to be played instead in November and December.

In Saudi Arabia, seasonal rains have caused flooding in a city northwest of country’s capital.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency said the rains Wednesday struck the city of Buraydah, some 320 kilometers northwest of Riyadh, as well as the surrounding Qassim province.

Saudi civil defense authorities posted photos online of their officers rescuing people by boat. Other social media images showed rushing water eating away at roads and cars getting stuck in the water.