The Saudi National Center for Meteorology issued warnings for moderate to heavy rain across the western region, accompanied by gusty winds, hail and sudden storms. The General Directorate of Civil Defence urged evacuation of valleys, avoidance of wadis, and vigilance in exposed zones. Local authorities have already activated contingency plans in Jeddah, Taif and surrounding areas.
Over the past decade, scientists have documented a marked increase in extreme rainfall events in the Makkah region. A 2025 study assessing data from manned and automatic weather stations concluded that Makkah and Taif are seeing rising trends in heavy and very heavy rainfall days. The study noted that Jeddah, while showing some fluctuation, has also recorded occasional extreme events.
In the current event, some of the higher intensity downpours were recorded in eastern sections of the city and mountain corridors. Civil defence teams report that water has breached retaining walls in flash-prone gorges, and a few smaller roads have become impassable. In the precincts of the Haram, managing authorities have deployed over 1,000 personnel equipped with pumps, suction units and drying equipment to keep pedestrian paths safe for worshippers.
Infrastructure officials say drainage systems nearing capacity were stressed further by rapid accumulation of runoff. Some aging culverts in older quarters showed signs of overflow. Teams have been tasked with clearing debris, mudslides, and checking embankments adjacent to built slopes.
Neighbours in the Taif highlands reported strong gusts preceding the rainfall, with hail mixed in certain zones. In some villages, residents said that fields and low terraces were inundated, damaging crops and access tracks. Authorities in Taif are coordinating with municipal engineers to assess road closures and landslip risks.
Worshippers in the Grand Mosque observed water seeping into outer galleries. Mosque management has intensified cleaning protocols, deploying suction machines and redirecting footfall away from vulnerable sectors. Officials indicated that worship schedules would continue but with heightened monitoring of slippery surfaces.
Municipal agencies in Jeddah, anticipating spillover effects downstream, strengthened patrols along key drainage arteries and reinforced embankments in critical zones. In coastal fringe zones, where sea spray can aggravate flooding under tidal influence, alerts are in place to prevent coastal inundation.
Forecasters are projecting further precipitation stretches into the coming 48 hours, especially over northern reaches of the Makkah province and adjoining Asir range. The meteorology centre has emphasised that although rainfall might ebb in some sectors, convective pockets producing bursts of heavy rain are likely to persist.
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Saudi Arabia