Three children were caught in fast-moving floodwaters triggered by intense rain and torrents flowing down mountainous areas, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence authorities. Emergency rescue teams managed to save one child, while another was found dead. Search operations are continuing for the third child, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Saudi Civil Defence confirmed the incident in an official statement published on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
The authorities said emergency responders were deployed immediately after receiving reports that three children had been swept away by the floodwaters. Rescue personnel launched an operation to locate the victims, successfully bringing one child to safety before recovering the body of another.
Efforts to find the missing child are ongoing, although officials have not released further information about the progress of the search.
The precise circumstances surrounding the tragedy remain unclear. Authorities have yet to establish publicly where the children were when the flooding occurred or how they became trapped in the powerful currents.
Following the incident, Saudi Civil Defence issued a safety warning, urging residents, expatriates and visitors to exercise extreme caution during periods of severe weather.
The agency specifically advised people to avoid areas vulnerable to sudden flooding, including natural waterways, valleys known locally as wadis, drainage channels and low-lying locations where rainwater can accumulate rapidly.
Officials warned that heavy rainfall can transform normally dry valleys and mountain channels into dangerous torrents within a short period. Such conditions pose serious risks to anyone attempting to cross flooded areas or remaining close to rapidly flowing water.
Makkah’s mountainous surroundings and natural drainage routes can make certain locations particularly vulnerable to sudden flooding during intense rainfall. Water descending from higher ground may gather speed as it moves through valleys and narrow channels, creating hazardous conditions even in places where rainfall appears relatively moderate.
Flash floods are especially dangerous because water levels and currents can change with little warning. Fast-moving water may be considerably stronger than it appears, making it difficult for pedestrians to maintain their balance or escape once caught in the current.
Children face particular risks in these circumstances because of their smaller size and limited ability to withstand powerful water flows.
Saudi authorities have repeatedly emphasised the importance of observing official weather warnings and avoiding flood-prone locations during periods of unstable weather.
Civil Defence also urged members of the public not to approach drainage channels or attempt to cross areas where floodwater is flowing, regardless of how shallow the water may appear.
The latest tragedy has drawn renewed attention to the dangers posed by sudden mountain torrents and the importance of preventive measures during heavy rainfall.
Residents and visitors have been advised to remain alert to changing weather conditions, keep children away from potentially hazardous waterways and follow instructions issued by emergency services.
Meanwhile, rescue personnel continue their efforts to locate the missing child. No additional details concerning the child’s condition or possible location were immediately available in the statement.
Saudi Civil Defence reiterated that public cooperation with emergency instructions is essential to reducing the risk of further casualties during severe weather.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly heavy rainfall can turn natural waterways into life-threatening hazards, particularly in mountainous regions where floodwaters can develop suddenly and move with considerable force.
