ع
The National Center for Meteorology placed the entire Abu Arish Governorate under a red alert for heavy rain and potential flash floods effective from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. According to the NCM announcement, the system is expected to bring high-speed winds, near-zero horizontal visibility, hail, thunderstorms and dangerous flooding. The Saudi Civil Defense responded by urging residents in the Jazan region to exercise caution, follow all official instructions and avoid unnecessary travel during the alert period.
Civil Defense authorities specifically warned against approaching water accumulation zones, valleys or flood channels where rapid runoff could prove hazardous. The advisory from the directorate emphasizes adherence to safety protocols to prevent accidents linked to reduced visibility and sudden water surges. This coordinated response between the meteorology center and civil authorities aims to inform the public in real time as conditions develop.
A 2024 study published in the Arabian Journal of Geosciences determined that Jazan Province features 25 drainage basins receiving between 100 and 500 millimeters of rainfall during peak periods of August, October to November and March. The assessment by researcher MHZ Masoud and colleagues found that the southwest kingdom’s mountainous terrain and subtropical climate contribute to high-intensity events that trigger rapid flash flooding in vulnerable wadis. Such geographic factors have made the area one of the more flood-prone in Saudi Arabia according to the study’s analysis of 53 years of rainfall station data from 1966 to 2018.
Historical records show that Jazan experienced severe flooding in 2004, an event local accounts described as the worst in 45 years for the region. The World Bank climate knowledge portal has noted that rising global temperatures are intensifying both heatwaves and heavy rainfall patterns across Saudi Arabia, increasing the likelihood of slope failures and flash floods in topographically susceptible zones. Data from the portal indicates these trends align with broader regional patterns observed in recent years.
The National Center for Meteorology maintains continuous monitoring of weather systems affecting the kingdom’s southern provinces, issuing tiered alerts that range from yellow to red based on severity projections. In this instance the red classification signals the highest level of concern for the affected governorate. Civil Defense units remain positioned to respond to any incidents arising from the forecasted conditions throughout the alert window.
Earlier comparable warnings in Jazan and neighboring Asir have highlighted the importance of public compliance with evacuation or avoidance directives during intense rainfall episodes. The current alert arrives against a backdrop of recurrent seasonal weather patterns that the meteorology center has tracked across multiple governorates in recent months. Residents have been directed to rely on official channels for any updates as the situation evolves on Thursday.
