Saudi - Snowfall, cold wave disrupt life in north

(MENAFN- Arab News) Life came to a halt in the northern parts of the Kingdom on Saturday as the mercury dipped below zero, with cold winds accompanied by rain and snowfall lashing the region. The chilly weather has crippled normal life in Tabuk, Turaif, Jouf and Arar. The cold wave is expected to prevail in the northern border areas for some time and will spread to Madinah on Sunday, according to weather experts. Poor visibility in Turaif resulted in a road accident which killed a Bangladeshi expatriate and injured two others. In Tabuk, a Saudi citizen died in a road accident on Saturday while several tourists were injured in a stampede as they clambered to see the snowfall in the mountain region. Traffic police director Brig. Gen. Mohammed Al-Najjar said that there were nine accidents related to people who were trampled upon as they rushed to see snow falling in the mountains. Tabuk authorities airlifted 26 people caught in snowfall and freezing temperatures on the directives of Gov. Prince Fahd bin Sultan. The governor also ordered the distribution of first aid to citizens on his personal expense. Civil Defense director of Tabuk region Brig. Mastour Al-Harity told SPA that there was no death due the severe weather conditions. Mount Louz, Aqlan and the mountains near Tabuk are registering sub-zero temperatures and are blanketed by snow. Tabuk residents told Arab News by the telephone that life in the Zaita area near Jordan had come to a standstill due to the freezing temperatures. Ala Shawan, an Egyptian resident and business executive said that though Tabuk city is not covered with snow, the cold wave and occasional sleet is hampering normal life. Dr. Anwar Deshmukh, assistant professor in Tabuk University said that children are falling sick due to the severe snow fall and cold winds in the regions bordering Jordan. They also said that the sea level had risen with the waves encroaching on the pavements in the Corniche in Duba near Tabuk. The civil defense authorities in the Northern border areas are prepared to deal with any emergency situation as a result of the adverse weather conditions. Captain Abdul Rahman Al Ahmari, spokesperson of civil defense in the Northern borders region has cautioned people in the region to be vigilant due to the snow fall accompanied by rain. A long time resident of Arar city and sports coach Mirza Imtiaz Ali Baig told Arab News that, "Life has been difficult for the last four days due to the cold weather in the Northern border areas." Mohammed Abdul Hafeez, assistant professor in Al Jouf University and living in Sakaka told Arab News, "There is no snow fall in Jouf but the cold wave is continuing. However, the weather on Saturday is somehow better compared to Friday." Shaikh Altaf, an automobile shop executive in Hafar Al Bateen said that the weather has affected businesses in the area.