MAJMA'AH: Dust storms followed by heavy rain over the past two days set off emergency alarms in the regions of Al-Qassim, Riyadh and Al-Majma'ah, officials said Sunday. The bad weather also stopped aviation, aggravated asthma illnesses for many people and led to patients crowding in emergency rooms of hospitals. It also prompted the closure of schools and emptied streets as well as markets. In the last 24 hours, the Al-Qassim Region experienced weather changes – from clear skies to dusty atmosphere followed by heavy downpours Saturday evening. The rainstorms were followed by a wave of dusty air. The turbulent weather prevented planes to fly from Riyadh and Jeddah to Al-Qassim, officials said. On Sunday morning, the Civil Defense office in Buraidah attended to cases of stranded people and cars due to the incessant rains and fallen trees. Maj. Ibrahim Abal Khail, spokesman for the Civil Defense in Al-Qassim Region, said the Civil Defense Administration in Buraidah received 19 reports of stranded cars, aside from reports of trees and billboards falling down. Rainwater inundated a ramshackle house while walls of some houses around courtyards collapsed. Civil Defense personnel dealt with these problems immediately , Major Abal Khail said.
