RIYADH: Schools in Saudi Arabia’s capital region Riyadh were instructed to switch to remote learning on Wednesday as storms and heavy rains continued to lash the country.

The Ministry of Education said it had taken the decision “based on reports received from the National Center of Meteorology and in the interest of everyone’s safety.”

Lessons would be conducted using the Madrasati and other e-learning platforms, it said.

The rain continued to fall in Riyadh on Wednesday, while the temperature ranged from 17-25 degrees Celsius.

Unaizah, a city in the central region of Qassim, saw its highest ever rainfall on Tuesday night.

Abdullah Al-Misnad, vice president of the Saudi Weather and Climate Society, said on X that “70 mm of rain fell … in just 60 minutes, half the annual average.”

Over the course of the night, the city saw 94.4 mm of rain, while Buraidah, also in Al-Qassim saw 17.5 mm, he said in the post, which was accompanied by images of flooded streets.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense on Wednesday issued warnings and safety instructions as the Kingdom braces for more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

“The Civil Defense calls for caution … due to the inclement weather situation witnessed in Qassim, Baha, Northern Borders, Jouf, Jazan, Asir, Makkah, Madinah and Riyadh regions,” it said.

The authority appealed to people to “stay away from valleys and waterlogged areas” and said “your safety is our goal.”

The National Center of Meteorology said on Monday that moderate to heavy rainfall would affect many parts of the country through Friday.

On Tuesday it said there was likely to be “higher than average rainfall” throughout the month of May, with Makkah, Jazan, Asir, Baha, Eastern Province and the Riyadh region likely to be the worst affected.

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts has launched an exhibition in Jeddah showcasing 25 artworks exploring the link between science and art.

The second annual exhibition organized by the arts society, in collaboration with the Biology Club at King Abdulaziz University, was opened in the presence of Mohammed Al-Subaih, director-general of the organization, Mona Al-Harbi, vice dean of the college of science, local artists, and parents.

The exhibition, which will run until May 2 at the organization’s Abdul Halim Radwi Auditorium, presents an artistic interpretation of scientific inquiry. It is being held to encourage students to showcase their creativity.

Fifteen female students presented their paintings, sketches and other projects at the opening of the event.

The students chose as subject matter the body’s various systems, the solar system, human mind, natural world, animals, mathematics, computer programming, global warming and more.

The Sci-Art exhibition allows participants to engage their creative and analytical minds to forge new connections between ideas and learn about the world through art.

Mona Al-Harbi, Vice dean of the college of science, King Abdulaziz University

Al-Subaih praised the students for their work. “This exhibition comes as part of our role in spreading culture and arts … we thought of creating a platform for students to exhibit their talents and showcase their innovative ideas and this exhibition is an exciting moment for us to share with our community.”

Al-Harbi added: “The sci-art exhibition allows participants to engage their creative and analytical minds to forge new connections between ideas and learn about the world through art.

“This exhibition is a way to provide a platform for students and others to express that side of themselves and bring art and science together. Our aim is to encourage students to show their artistic talents and create paintings that related to subjects that they have learned in science.”