Riyadh: Saudi officials ordered schools closed Tuesday after heavy rains and hail sparked flooding and paralysed traffic in Riyadh.
Violent thunderstorms shook the normally arid Saudi capital Monday afternoon, flooding underpasses, stalling cars and blocking traffic, according to accounts from residents, television reports, and video footage on the web.
There were no official reports of injuries. But with meteorological officials warning of more storms Tuesday, Riyadh region governor Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz ordered schools to remain closed.
"Due to heavy rains in Riyadh and warnings from the Department of Meteorology of the possibility of more heavy rains, Riyadh governor Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz ordered the suspension of schools Tuesday," a statement posted by the official SPA news agency said.
