Flash Flood Hits Saudi Arabia's Jeddah; Foreign Ministry Ensures No Indonesian Citizen Dies
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26 November 2022 17:53 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no Indonesian citizens died from the flash flood that hit Jeddah, Saudi Arabia a few days ago. The Jeddah floods were reported to have killed two Saudi citizens.
"Until today, Until now, no Indonesian citizen has been reported as a victim in this incident," said the director for Protection of Indonesian Citizens and the Legal Office of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha via text message, Friday, November 25, 2022.
On Thursday, Nov. 24, flash floods hit the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In video footage circulated on Twitter, chest-deep murky water hit neighborhoods in the port city of Jeddah.
Several cars were lifted up by the flood waters so they collided with each other along the narrow road. Images posted to social media showed cars being swept along the road through the rushing water.
Two people died in the flash flood that hit Jeddah. Saudi Arabia's civil defense spokesman in Mecca Province announced the death on Twitter. The government asked its citizens to stay indoors except for urgent needs.
The disaster forced the flight delay at King Abdulaziz International Airport. Schools until roads heading to the Holy City of Mecca were closed.
Judha said, based on Jeddah KJRI monitoring, the situation is gradually returning to normal and floodwater has receded at most of the affected roads. Deep puddles of water were seen at several points such as the underpass.
According to Saudi's meteorology center, the rainfall in southern areas of Jeddah was recorded at 179 millimeters at around 08:00 and 14:00 local time on Thursday. That was the highest rainfall recorded in the country. In 2009, the kingdom was also hit by a devastating flood that killed dozens of people.
The Indonesian Consulate General in Jeddah continues to monitor the situation and opens a hotline for Indonesian citizens at +966 503 609 667.
DANIEL AHMAD
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