Heavy rainfall, hail, and thunderstorms have severely impacted several cities in Saudi Arabia, particularly Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah, leading to widespread flooding. This extreme weather event began on January 6, 2025, and has caused significant disruption, with roads submerged and traffic severely affected.
Makkah has been particularly hard-hit, with reports indicating that streets have turned into rivers. Videos circulating on social media show floodwaters sweeping vehicles down slopes, with some cars colliding with stationary vehicles as they were carried away by the currents.
The flooding in Jeddah and Madinah has also been extensive, prompting local authorities to issue red alerts for these regions due to the expected continuation of heavy rainfall until January 10.
On Tuesday, the National Center for Meteorology issued warning alerts with different levels across the kingdom, including the high red alert in Makkah and Madinah holy cities in western Saudi Arabia, as well as in areas of the eastern region.
The recent severe flooding in Saudi Arabia serves as a stark reminder of the escalating impacts of climate change on the region. As global temperatures rise, the Kingdom has experienced significant shifts in weather patterns, including increased rainfall and extreme weather events. This phenomenon is not isolated; it reflects a broader trend observed across the Arabian Gulf, where climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities in infrastructure and urban planning.
Saudi Arabia’s unique climatic conditions, characterized by limited water resources and sensitive ecosystems, make it particularly susceptible to these changes. The country has witnessed a decade-long trend of intensified rainfall, leading to flash floods that disrupt daily life and threaten public safety.
In response, the Saudi government has initiated various programs aimed at mitigating these impacts, including investments in renewable energy and infrastructure resilience as part of its Vision 2030 initiative.
However, the recent flooding underscores the urgent need for comprehensive climate action to safeguard both human lives and economic stability in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate.