Photographing the low-lying clouds over the mountains of Asir in Saudi Arabia. SPA
Photographing the low-lying clouds over the mountains of Asir in Saudi Arabia. SPA
Photographing the low-lying clouds over the mountains of Asir in Saudi Arabia. SPA
Photographing the low-lying clouds over the mountains of Asir in Saudi Arabia. SPA

Saudis enjoy rain in cool highlands as desert temperatures soar


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More rain and strong winds are forecast in south-western parts of Saudi Arabia, including Asir, Jazan, Najran, Baha, Makkah and coastal parts of Jeddah.

Residents shared pictures and videos on social media of families rejoicing in the rain as many Saudis continue to travel to the highlands of Abha to escape the soaring summer temperatures in the kingdom's desert regions.

One onlooker in the Makkah region also shared a video of water streaming off a bridge as cars splashed through the standing water.

Many locals shared mountain-top footage of people enjoying picnics in the rugged terrain overlooking Abha city, under cloudy skies.

People also shared pictures of themselves walking "among clouds" on the seven-kilometre Fog Walkway overlooking the Tihama mountains enjoying the rainy and foggy weather.

The National Centre of Meteorology began the second phase of its cloud-seeding programme in the south-western regions of Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

Hikers look on as clouds roll through the mountains of the Asir region. SPA
Hikers look on as clouds roll through the mountains of the Asir region. SPA

“This is in addition to the operation of the first phase of the programme in the airspaces of Riyadh, Qassim and Hail regions,” Dr Ayman Ghulam, chief executive of NCM and general supervisor of the cloud-seeding programme said.

"The NCM is looking forward to increasing rainfall in the targeted areas to contribute to achieving the goals of national initiatives related to rain and increasing the water level and thus producing a positive impact on the agricultural and tourism sectors in the kingdom," he said.

The cloud-seeding programme aims to contribute to sustainable development, preservation of the environment and searching for ways to develop resources — all goals outlined at the Green Middle East Summit announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last year.

Abdulrahman Al Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and chairman of the NCM board of directors, launched the first phase of the cloud-seeding programme in April this year.

Residents in Makkah on Tuesday evening rejoiced as rain fell on the city.

Rain in Al Baha region of Saudi Arabia. SPA
Rain in Al Baha region of Saudi Arabia. SPA

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques launched the "Umbrella of Mu'tamer" initiative, to help visitors to the mosque stay safe and perform their rituals with ease when it rains.

The presidency will provide umbrellas and services that help visitors to perform their rituals. More than 200 supervisors and 4,000 workers are prepared to deal with the rains at the mosque.

Other efforts include distributing water-pumping equipment inside and outside the Grand Mosque to help speed up the drying process to avoid pilgrims slipping and possibly injuring themselves.

NCM on Tuesday denied rumours that temperatures on Thursday will drop in most regions of Saudi Arabia.

The NCM said that temperatures will remain high in most regions of Saudi Arabia, except for the highlands such as Asir.

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Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

2/5

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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Kolkata Knight Riders 169-7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals 144-4 (20 ovs)

Kolkata win by 25 runs

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Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders, Friday, 5.30pm

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Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

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Did you know?

Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.

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Clubs (10) - Limerick (1991-1992), Perston North End (1992), Blackpool (1994-1996), Notts County (1997-1999), Bolton Wanderers (1999-2007), Newcastle United (2007-2008), Blackburn Rovers (2008-2010), West Ham United (2011-2015), Sunderland (2016), Crystal Palace (2016-2017)

Countries (1) - England (2016)

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Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

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Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

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The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

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UAE's final round of matches
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  • Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
  • Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
  • Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
  • Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
  • Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
  • Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
  • June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
  • Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
  • Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
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Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Updated: August 10, 2022, 1:26 PM`