Saudi Civil Defense Warns of Heavy Rain and Flash Floods Across the Kingdom

A view of Saudi Arabia's al-Baha after recent rainfall. (SPA)
A view of Saudi Arabia's al-Baha after recent rainfall. (SPA)
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Saudi Civil Defense Warns of Heavy Rain and Flash Floods Across the Kingdom

A view of Saudi Arabia's al-Baha after recent rainfall. (SPA)
A view of Saudi Arabia's al-Baha after recent rainfall. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Civil Defense warned on Wednesday residents to exercise caution and avoid areas prone to flash floods, such as streams and valleys.

Swimming in these areas is strictly prohibited, it stressed.

The public is advised to stay informed about the weather developments through official media channels and social media.

Thunderstorms are expected to continue in several regions of Saudi Arabia from Wednesday to Sunday. Parts of the Makkah Region may experience heavy rain, hail, and strong winds.

The directorate also warned of the potential for medium to heavy rain in Madinah, Al-Baha, Aseer, Jazan, and Najran. Lighter rainfall is forecast in Hail, Al-Jouf, the Northern Borders, Qassim, and Al-Ahsa.



Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July are Among Finalists for the Women's Prize for Fiction

Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
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Elizabeth Strout, Miranda July are Among Finalists for the Women's Prize for Fiction

Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
Yael Van Der Wouden arrives at the Booker Prize award dinner in London, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (ΑΡ Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)

American authors Elizabeth Strout and Miranda July are among finalists announced Wednesday for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, alongside four debut novelists exploring the search for freedom in different countries and cultures.

Pulitzer Prize winner Strout’s Maine-set mystery novel “Tell Me Everything” and writer'-filmmaker July’s “All Fours,” in which a “semi-famous artist” seeks a new life, are shortlisted for the 30,000 pound ($39,000) prize. It's open to female English-language writers from any country.

The contenders also include Dutch writer Yael van der Wouden’s postwar story “The Safekeep” and German-born poet Aria Aber’s novel “Good Girl,” about a teenager exploring her dual German-Afghan heritage.

Also on the list are Iran-born writer Sanam Mahloudji’s intergenerational family saga “The Persians,” and “Fundamentally” by Britain's Nussaibah Younis, about an academic trying to rehabilitate women caught up with ISIS, The AP news reported.

Author Kit de Waal, who is chairing the panel of judges, said that the six books were “classics of the future” that explored “the importance of human connection.”

“What is surprising and refreshing is to see so much humor, nuance and lightness employed by these novelists to shed light on challenging concepts,” she said.

Previous winners of the fiction prize, founded in 1996, include Zadie Smith, Tayari Jones and Barbara Kingsolver.

Last year, award organizers launched a companion Women’s Prize for Nonfiction to help rectify an imbalance in publishing. In 2022, only 26.5% of nonfiction books reviewed in Britain’s newspapers were by women, and male writers dominated established nonfiction writing prizes.

Winners of both nonfiction and fiction prizes will be announced on June 12 at a ceremony in London.