WATCH: Floods, heavy rains hit Saudi Arabia's holy city Medina

Floods and heavy rain hit parts of Saudi Arabia on Monday, including the provinces of Al-Ula and Al-Madinah, home to Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi, Islam’s second holiest site and burial place of the Prophet Muhammad.

Footage shared on social media showed heavy rain near the mosque.

According to The New Arab report, heavy rain and floods have forced road closures and schools to cancel in-person attendance in several parts of the Kingdom amid travel warnings issued by the Gulf nation’s meteorological authorities.

The authorities are evaluating conditions in affected regions, added the report_,_ citing other local media.

The Civil Defence Directorate has urged residents to exercise caution and steer clear of valleys and waterways. They strongly advised against entering these areas, and urged drivers to exercise heightened vigilance on rural roads.

The Saudi National Center for Meteorology (NCM) had issued a red alert for the Al-Madinah region earlier on Monday, forecasting heavy rain and thunderstorms. The alert specifically covered Al-Ula from midday until 11 pm.

“The NCM predicts heavy rainfall during this period, accompanied by strong winds, reduced visibility, hailstorms, and potential flash floods,” it said in a statement.

Days ago flash floods had hit neighbouring UAE and Oman to the southeast, which is a rare events at this time of the year.

In November 2022, Saudi Arabia was hit by coastal flooding as a result of heavy rain, hitting hard the city of Jeddah in which two people were killed.

With inputs from agencies