Death toll in Saudi floods reaches 103
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The death toll in western Saudi areas of Jeddah and Mecca hit by torrential rains climbed to 103, the official news agency SPA reported on Sunday.
Unprecedented heavy storm hit western Saudi last Wednesday with the precipitation in Jeddah area reaching 90 mm shortly after, which was rare in the dry and rainless country, said the report.
Some weak houses collapsed and a number of cars were swept way in the floods. The poor sewerage infrastructure condition in some Saudi cities is largely blamed for the high death toll.
Saudi King Abdullah announced last Wednesday night to supply urgent financial aids to the people in the flood-stricken areas. The Financial Ministry and civil defense authorities have established special committees to distribute relief supplies to displaced residents.
Around 1.6 million pilgrims have come to Saudi Arabia for the haj, the world's largest regular religious gathering. There has been no death report about the pilgrims by far.
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