MADINAH – Social media was abuzz with posts of hailstones falling in some areas of western Saudi Arabia, causing widespread damage.
Hailstones the size of golf balls lashed Saudi Arabia on Sunday morning.
Various users on Twitter have shared footage of ice balls raining down on pavements and shattering car windows in Madinah.
https://twitter.com/m31xm31/status/967385731474784256
https://twitter.com/arar939/status/967457183603490817
Thunderstorms, accompanied by gusty winds, and heavy rainfall has occurred in several regions of Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi General Authority for Meteorology.
The onslaught left several vehicles badly damaged, animals killed, and over a dozen citizens injured in Madinah as well as other areas of the Kingdom.
Saudi authorities had issued weather warnings that medium to heavy thunderstorms would strike with intermittent hail accompanied by sweeping wind – affecting horizontal visibility. All this led to flooding in Mathama, Jibal al Ajrad and surrounding areas, Saudi media reported.
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Madinah helped transport 15 injured to the hospital for treatment via three ambulances.
It also swept into action following seven traffic incidents, transferring six injured to the hospital.
As many as 54 people were shifted from the Prophet’s Mosque to the hospital for the treatment.
The Saudi Civil Defence warned residents from approaching ravines or valleys.
Mecca also witnessed heavy rainfall and severe traffic disruptions, sources said.
https://youtu.be/mZudyQbSF3Y
https://twitter.com/WADI_HABONA/status/967498644743221248
A video showed a man in Madinah holding a ball-sized piece of hail that damaged his car roof.
The recent heavy downpour prompted authorities in some parts of the Kingdom to suspend schools and colleges to ensure the safety of students.
