cars wade through a flooded street in Abha, Tuesday. — Okaz photo Okaz/Saudi Gazette ABHA – Heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms lashed the city Tuesday in what the locals described as “not witnessed in decades.” The rain was particularly heavy in the districts of Shamsan, Al-Wardatain, Al-Qabel, Al-Mansak, Al-Wasayef, Al-Khaldiya, Al-Tabjiya, Al-Yamaniya, Al-Numais and Al-Nasb. Rain-caused rockslides from some high areas put Civil Defense, Traffic Police, Police patrols and the Red Crescent teams on alert, which were out on the city streets to deal with any emergency and issuing warnings through loudspeakers. Streets and main roads turned into water pools and obstructed traffic revealing the shortcomings in the city's drainage system. The Asir Mayor's Office dispatched its vehicles to the usually crowded main road linking Abha to other regions after rockslides obstructed traffic for a considerable period of time. Vehicles were also sent to repair some roads leading to parks on Assouda Tourist Road. The Civil Defense called on residents to avoid hazardous areas and abide by its instructions. Major Muhammad Bin Abdulraheem Al-Aasmi, spokesman for the Civil Defense, said the department has advised against picnicking in valleys, which many residents and visitors do, as a flood can occur suddenly, coming from long distances, with no warning signs. __
