Mosque Roof Collapses at Saudi University Amid Heavy Rainfall and Storms

On May 1, 2024, the roof of a mosque collapsed at King Fahd University in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, due to heavy rain. The incident occurred amid widespread storms affecting several regions across the country, leading authorities to issue severe weather warnings and instruct students to switch to remote learning as a safety precaution.

A video circulating on social media showed that a steel roof, which was part of the mosque's expansion plans, could not withstand the weight of the rain and caved in. The collapse happened as moderate-to-heavy rainfall lashed Qassim, Eastern Province, Riyadh, and Medina, with the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issuing a 'red alert' for the affected regions.

The NCM cautioned about heavy rain, high-speed winds, lack of visibility, hail, and thunderbolts. The Unayzah city in the Al-Qassim region witnessed 70 mm of rainfall in just 60 minutes, equivalent to half of the annual average. In the Eastern Province, authorities closed tunnels, bridges, and main streets due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Why this matters: The severe weather events in Saudi Arabia highlight the increasing frequency and intensity of storms attributed to the effects of global warming caused by fossil fuel emissions. The impact on infrastructure, such as the mosque roof collapse, and the disruption to daily life emphasize the need for adaptation measures and climate change mitigation.

The education departments in the Eastern Province and Riyadh decided to cancel in-person classes and switch to distance learning. The Medina education department reported that maintenance workers were repairing electricity and air-conditioning units and removing standing water from schools.

Similar heavy rainfall and flooding have been an annual occurrence in Saudi Arabia, especially in cities like Jeddah, which experienced deadly floods in 2009 and 2011. Nearby areas in the UAE also experienced heavy thunderstorms and lightning during this period.

The NCM predicted that the rainy situation would continue in parts of several regions, with the possibility of fog formation in some areas. As Saudi Arabia grapples with the impact of the severe weather, the mosque roof collapse at King Fahd University serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges posed by increasingly intense storms in the region.

Key Takeaways

• Mosque roof collapsed at King Fahd University in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, due to heavy rain.
• Severe storms led to school closures, infrastructure damage, and power/AC issues across Saudi regions.
• Unayzah city received 70mm of rain in 1 hour, half the annual average.
• Increasing frequency and intensity of storms attributed to global warming and fossil fuel emissions.
• Similar heavy rainfall and flooding have been an annual occurrence in Saudi Arabia and UAE.