Four regions, one week of red. Since mid-October the National Center of Meteorology has repeatedly issued red alerts for heavy rain over parts of the Makkah, Asir, Jazan and Al-Baha regions. The latest, on Saturday 24 October, covered parts of Makkah, Jazan and Al-Baha.
A red alert means conditions are ripe for moderate to heavy thunderstorms that can trigger flash floods. With each alert, the General Directorate of Civil Defense has repeated its guidance to residents:
- Red is the highest level on the meteorology centre's warning scale, above yellow and orange.
- Stay away from pooled water and flood channels, and never swim in them.
- Keep out of valley beds and away from dams while rain is falling.
- Crossing a valley while water is flowing is an offence that can bring a fine of up to SAR 10,000, on top of the risk to life.
- Drive with extra care when visibility drops, and follow official instructions.
The advice for residents is simple: check the centre's and Civil Defense's alerts every day, because the areas covered keep changing. On Thursday 22 October, the red warning applied to Jazan and Asir alone.
