Royal Commission for AlUla Says Old Town's Artworks Being Studied

Studies included the discovery of murals with geometric ornaments. Asharq Al-Awsat
Studies included the discovery of murals with geometric ornaments. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Royal Commission for AlUla Says Old Town's Artworks Being Studied

Studies included the discovery of murals with geometric ornaments. Asharq Al-Awsat
Studies included the discovery of murals with geometric ornaments. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Royal Commission for AlUla has announced that it started studying and reviewing artworks in the Old City, which was selected as one of the best tourist villages in the world for 2022.

RCU said it is conducting a study and restoration work with a group of experts, intending to reveal the details and architecture of the town.

Studies included the discovery of murals with geometric ornaments and other images highlighting various elements of everyday life, such as mosques, houses, markets, and many material elements that reflect the cultural value embedded in these images and drawings.

The old town contains various inscriptions and designs engraved on the walls of the houses, as well as colors of various connotations. This research was conducted by the Royal Commission of AlUla with emphasis on the elements and details of folklore in the AlUla community.

The results of these studies show that the houses were characterized by sophisticated inscriptions, including the houses of the AlUla Cultural Oasis built by the citizens, and are now within the scope of excellence, making the old town one of the best tourist villages in the world.



Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
TT

Heavy Rain in Northern Japan Triggers Floods, Landslides

A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)
A road is flooded after a heavy rain in Sakata, Yamagata prefecture, northern Japan Friday, July 26, 2024. Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds. (Kyodo News via AP)

Heavy rain hit northern Japan Thursday, triggering floods and landslides, disrupting transportation systems and forcing hundreds of residents to take shelter at safer grounds.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued emergency warnings of heavy rain for several municipalities in the Yamagata and Akita prefecture, where warm and humid air was flowing.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida urged the affected area’s residents to “put safety first” and pay close attention to the latest information from the authorities.

According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, one person went missing in Yuzawa city — in the Akita prefecture — after being hit by a landslide at a road construction site.

Rescue workers in the city evacuated 11 people from the flooded area with the help of a boat.

In the neighboring Yamagata prefecture, more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain fell in the hardest-hit Yuza and Sakata towns within an hour earlier Thursday.

Thousands of residents in the area were advised to take shelter at higher and safer grounds, but it was not immediately known how many people took that advice.

Yamagata Shinkansen bullet train services were partially suspended on Thursday, according to East Japan Railway Company.

The agency predicted up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of more rainfall in the region through Friday evening, urging residents to remain cautious.