At least 26 people were injured in accidents due to heavy rains and storms which hit Abha, Thursday, causing traffic chaos in different parts of the region, said Civil Defense and the traffic police. Civil Defense authorities have declared a state of emergency in some areas of the region and deployed rescue teams, especially in valleys where many picnickers and motorists were reported to be stranded. Civil Defense teams rescued some people from valleys flooded with water. No deaths have been reported so far. Red Crescent ambulance teams rushed to Rejal Al-Ma'a village where eight people were reported to be involved in a traffic accident. The paramedic teams provided first aid to injured passengers and rushed them to Rejal Al-Ma'a General Hospital. Those with serious injuries have been sent to the ICU. Civil Defense sources said that the heavy downpour paralyzed traffic in some areas. Strong winds destroyed several Ramadan stalls in the city. __
