Heavy rains sweep across Saudi Arabia, triggering weather warnings and supension of in-person classes

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense has issued a weather warning for most regions of Saudi Arabia, forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall across large parts of the country until Friday.

The affected regions include Mecca, Riyadh, Medina, Tabuk, Hail, Qassim, the Eastern Province, Northern Borders, Al Jouf, Al Baha, and Asir.

The Civil Defence urged residents to take necessary precautions, avoid flood-prone areas such as valleys, and refrain from swimming in them.

Authorities also encouraged the public to stay updated through official channels and social media for the latest weather alerts and safety guidance.

As a precautionary measure, the Mecca Education Department announced the suspension of in-person classes on Tuesday for students across Mecca and the governorates of Al Jumum, Al Kamil, and Bahra.

“Based on reports from the National Center of Meteorology and in the interest of public safety, all classes will be conducted remotely via the Madrasati platform,” the department said in a statement.

In addition, Umm Al Qura University has also shifted to remote learning on Tuesday, citing weather conditions forecasted by the National Center of Meteorology. The decision applies to the university's main campus, affiliated offices, and colleges across the Mecca region.