{
  "id": 10378548,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia issues safety alert as thunderstorms threaten most regions through Friday",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/saudi-arabia-issues-safety-alert-as-thunderstorms-threaten-most",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T04:37:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-issues-safety-alert-as-thunderstorms-threaten-most-regions-through-friday-1.500690095"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence has issued a safety alert, warning residents to take precautions due to forecasted thunderstorms and heavy rain across most of the Kingdom through Friday. The risk of flash floods, hail, and dust storms is elevated, prompting officials to advise the public to remain in secure areas, avoid low-lying valleys and flood-prone locations, and refrain from swimming in hazardous waters.\n\nAuthorities emphasize the importance of adhering to safety instructions and weather warnings disseminated via official media and social media platforms. The National Centre for Meteorology predicts moderate to heavy rainfall in various regions including Mecca, Al Kamil, Al Jumum, Bahrah, Taif, Maysan, Adham, and Al Ardiyat, as well as areas like Al Lith, Al Qunfudhah, Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, Madinah, Tabuk, Al Jouf, and the Northern Borders.\n\nFlash floods, hail, and dust storms are anticipated in these areas, with the potential for strong winds. Authorities urge motorists and residents in the affected regions to stay vigilant as weather conditions evolve and to strictly follow official safety guidance throughout the period.",
  "summary": "Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence has urged residents to exercise caution as thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast to affect most regions of the Kingdom through Friday, raising the risk of flash floods, hail and dust storms. The General Directorate of Civil Defence called on the public to remain in safe areas, stay away from valleys and places prone to flooding and avoid swimming in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Crikey",
        "title": "The Snoop: Gillard appears at UK Labour conference, Australian exodus from Saudi Arabia, and more",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/the-snoop-gillard-appears-at-uk-labour-conference-australian-exodus",
        "published": "2026-09-28T02:10:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}