Saudi Arabia suspends in-person classes after torrential rains, floods hit Riyadh

Hussein Elkabany

Saudi Arabia suspended in-person classes at several schools and universities Sunday after torrential rains and flooding swept through Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom.

Footage shared on US social media company X showed torrents of water rushing through streets in the Saudi capital after intense rainfall late Saturday.

The National Center for Meteorology said heavy rain affecting Riyadh would continue until early Sunday, though its intensity was expected to gradually ease.

The Saudi Civil Defense urged residents in Riyadh and the Eastern Province to exercise caution and follow official safety instructions.

Saudi state-run Alekhbariah said in-person classes were suspended Sunday at several universities and schools, including Al-Baha University, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and King Khalid University.

The weather center had warned Thursday that most regions of the country would experience moderate to heavy rainfall through Tuesday.

*Writing by Tarek Chouiref