Torrential rain could cause flash flooding in parts of Saudi Arabia as tropical cyclone Mekunu makes landfall over neighboring Oman early on Saturday.
The General Authority of Meteorology and Environment Protection said the cyclone in the Arabian Sea was moving north to northwest with wind speeds of up to 160 kilometers an hour at its center.
Forecasters said the cyclone would turn into a tropical storm, with heavy rain predicted for parts of the Kingdom from Saturday until next Tuesday.
The authority will issue daily weather reports and alerts via the early warning system on its website and social media outlets.
Meanwhile, The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has urged Filipinos in Saudi Arabia to prepare for a tropical cyclone expected to bring heavy rains in the western region late Saturday.
In a statement, the DFA said the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah has forwarded the advice to Filipinos, specifically in the Najran area where 8,000 Filipinos reside.
The statement said the tropical cyclone is expected to bring heavy rains from Saturday until Tuesday, according to the Saudi General Authority of Meteorology and Environment Protection (GAMEP).
The storm will be accompanied by “active wind and dust leading to a lack of horizontal visibility in Najran, especially in Al Kharkhir area,” according to the GAMEP.
“Dust brought about by the winds is also expected to reduce visibility over Tabuk, Madinah, Makkah, Sharqiyah and Riyadh. Rainy clouds are further expected over Jizan, Asir and Al Baha region,” the DFA said.
“The Saudi Civil Defense has advised the public to stay away from streams and torrents of valleys in areas to be affected by heavy rains,” it added.
The agency said Filipinos who need aid may contact the Consulate’s hotline at 0555219613 or the Saudi Civil Defense through 998.
