Technology and Science · 12 April, 2026 · 1 min read
Saudi Arabia Suspends In-Person Classes Amid Severe Flooding and Torrential Rains
In-person classes suspended across multiple regions due to torrential rains and floods. Riyadh experienced heavy rainfall with flooding and road inundation.
School closures and education continuity.
3 of 4 outlets skipped it: the weather center had warned Thursday that most regions would experience moderate to heavy rainfall through Tuesday..
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Al Jazeera
“Severe flooding closes schools in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has ordered schools to close after severe flooding swept through parts of the country.”Read the original ↗
Gulf News
“Remote learning activated as storms trigger school closures across Saudi Arabia Dubai: In-person classes were suspended on Sunday across several regions in Saudi Arabia as authorities responded to heavy rainfall and ongoing weather warnings, shifting students to remote learning to ensure safety.”Read the original ↗
Shows a contrast in reported response: Al Jazeera frames it as outright school closures; Gulf News emphasizes a shift to remote/online learning rather than solely closing facilities.
Nationwide School Closures
Saudi Arabia suspended in-person classes across multiple regions as severe flooding disrupted daily life. Education departments shifted to remote learning via the Madrasati platform. Universities including Al Baha University moved classes online.
The National Center for Meteorology warned moderate to heavy rainfall could affect most regions from Friday through Tuesday. Civil Defense urged residents to remain cautious and avoid flood-prone areas. The Saudi Red Crescent Authority raised readiness levels in Riyadh and declared a full alert.
Flooding and Disruptions
Heavy rain swamped roads around Riyadh and in the Al Ahsa governorate. Footage of torrents of water rushing through the streets went viral on social media. This was followed by a dust storm that reduced visibility in some areas.
Forecasters warned of dust-stirring winds with gusts over the Arabian Gulf exceeding 45 km/h. Authorities confirmed classes would continue remotely to ensure public safety. The Saudi Civil Defence advised residents to exercise caution.
Emergency Response
The Saudi Red Crescent Authority allocated 143 ambulance units and 25 rapid response teams. Additional vehicles were deployed to handle potential multiple-casualty incidents. Emergency services can be reached via the 997 hotline and mobile apps.
The Civil Defense warned against swimming in flood-prone locations. The National Center for Meteorology said heavy rain was expected to continue into early Sunday. Earlier forecasts indicated moderate to heavy rainfall could affect most regions from Friday through Tuesday.