Mecca Education Authorities Have To Suspend Classes Again

Education authorities in Mecca have decided to suspend classes in all schools due to the forecast of rainy weather. This is the second time in less than a month that classes have been suspended. 

The decision was made based on reports from the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) predicting rainfall. As a result, online learning will be conducted through the government platform Madrasty. 

The Umm Al Qura university in Mecca has also announced the suspension of in-person classes and a shift to distance learning for safety reasons. 

The NCM has forecasted continued rains, hail showers, and low-visibility dust winds in the regions of Mecca, Jizan, Asir, and Al Bahah in south-western Saudi Arabia. 

The Saudi civil defense has advised people to be cautious due to the ongoing rainfall in most parts of the kingdom. 

This comes after heavy rains and a fierce storm last month, which led to the temporary closure of educational institutions and a shift to online learning. 

Videos of cleaning workers at the Grand Mosque losing their balance and being blown away by strong winds, as well as a lightning strike near the Clock Tower, went viral. Thankfully, no casualties were reported.

A strong thunderstorm hit the Coachella Valley on Friday, bringing heavy rain and causing flash floods. The storm was part of a monsoonal system that had already affected the area recovering from Tropical Storm Hilary. 

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning and a dust storm warning for the region, but both warnings expired by 8 p.m. 

The storm caused blowing dust and reduced visibility to 100 feet in some areas. Wind speeds of over 40 mph were reported. 

The rainfall totals were highest in the southeast part of the Coachella Valley, with nearly 3 inches of rain reported near Mecca. Flooding was reported on several roads, including a portion of Interstate 10. 

The flash flood warning remained in effect until 8 p.m. The chances of rain were expected to decrease throughout Friday evening, with a smaller chance of rain and showers overnight and on Saturday. 

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The weather is then expected to dry out, with temperatures in the upper 90s on Saturday and Sunday. The same monsoon system caused low clouds, humidity, and hazy air throughout the day. The storm also affected high school football games, with one game canceled and another delayed.