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The General Directorate of Civil Defense called on citizens and residents to exercise full caution by remaining in secure locations and steering clear of sites where rainwater gathers or crossing through valleys, according to a statement distributed by the Saudi Press Agency. The directorate explicitly advised against swimming in any such areas and instructed the public to comply with all safety guidance shared via news outlets and official social media accounts. This alert stems directly from meteorological updates indicating that thundery rains will persist over much of the kingdom at least until the end of the week.
Jazan province, which lies on Saudi Arabia’s southwestern border with Yemen, ranks among the areas slated for moderate to heavy rainfall capable of producing flash floods, hail storms and powerful downdraft winds that stir dust and sand, the National Center for Meteorology reported. The center’s forecast also flags similar conditions for neighboring Asir and Baha provinces, where rugged terrain can accelerate runoff into local wadis. Civil defense teams in Jazan have been placed on heightened readiness to address any resulting emergencies, the Saudi Press Agency noted in its coverage of the directive.
The warning forms part of a series of weather alerts issued in recent weeks as seasonal rains intensified across southern Saudi Arabia, a pattern long associated with elevated flood risks in border provinces. Jazan’s topography, featuring steep mountains that feed numerous valleys, has made it particularly susceptible during such episodes, according to repeated assessments from the National Center for Meteorology. The directorate’s latest statement reiterated that adherence to these precautions helps limit both human and material losses in vulnerable communities.
Meteorological observations show that the current weather system will continue delivering intermittent heavy showers to Jazan and other southern zones, potentially triggering sudden torrents even in locations that appear dry between storms. The National Center for Meteorology has coordinated closely with civil defense officials to refine predictions and target alerts to the most exposed districts along the Yemen frontier. Residents received encouragement to monitor updates through authorized channels rather than relying on unofficial reports.
Comparable civil defense campaigns have been activated each rainy season in Jazan, where the General Directorate of Civil Defense has previously documented numerous rescue operations tied to valley flooding, data compiled from the directorate’s own operational summaries. The Saudi Press Agency has regularly carried these seasonal briefings, underscoring the collaborative role of meteorological and emergency services in protecting border populations. The latest directive adds to this established framework without introducing new restrictions beyond standard safety protocols.
