Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Monday
Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Monday /node/2593686/saudi-arabia
Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Monday
Forecasts say the Makkah and Riyadh regions will experience moderate to heavy rainfall, leading to flash floods, hail, and strong downdrafts. (Filephoto)
Thunderstorms forecast across Saudi Arabia until Monday
Updated 15 March 2025
Arab News
RIYADH: The public should exercise caution as thunderstorms are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Monday, the General Directorate of Civil Defense has said.
Residents are advised to stay in safe locations, avoid valleys and areas prone to flooding, and refrain from swimming in them, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Forecasts say the Makkah and Riyadh regions will experience moderate to heavy rainfall, leading to flash floods, hail, and strong downdrafts.
The Madinah, Asir, Hail and Qassim regions can expect moderate to heavy rain, while the Eastern Province will see moderate showers.
Light to moderate rainfall is also expected in Tabuk, Baha, Jazan and Najran.
The Civil Defense has urged the public to monitor official channels and social media platforms for the latest weather updates.
Pioneering electric bus service takes to the road in Makkah
The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be the first of its kind in the Kingdom
The vehicles operate in dedicated bus lanes within a network that includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them
Updated 19 December 2025
Tarek Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: A pioneering electric bus service took to the road in Makkah this week.
Electromin, the developer and operator of the service in partnership with Umm Al-Qura for Development and Construction, said it is expected to serve more than 125 million passengers over the next 15 years, while cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 31,500 tonnes compared with traditional vehicles.
The bus rapid transit project, a system designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services, is said to be one of the first of its kind in the Kingdom. It was inaugurated on Wednesday by Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairperson of Al-Dabbagh Group; Samir Nawar, managing director of Petromin; and Yasser Abu Ateeq, CEO of Umm Al-Qura.
The bus rapid transit project is designed to have higher capacity and reliability than conventional bus services. (Supplied)
Electromin, a subsidiary of Petromin specializing in energy and mobility solutions, said the new service, which forms part of the Masar Destination mixed-use real estate development project in Makkah, is one the first transport networks of its kind in the country, and represents a significant shift toward a cleaner, more efficient urban transport model.
It operates in dedicated bus lanes, connecting key hubs within Masar and providing safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transportation for residents and visitors, the company added. The network includes two main bus stations and 11 stops along the route connecting them. It has been designed to serve more than 5 million visitors and pilgrims annually, and to be easily accessible to all users.
Operators say the service is designed as a foundation for Makkah’s future transportation system, through its integration with the broader Masar project, which includes pedestrian walkways, more than 5,000 parking spaces, metro services and other urban infrastructure.
