The General Directorate of Civil Defense said the warning was based on projections from the National Center for Meteorology, which expects moderate to heavy rainfall across regions including Makkah, Riyadh, Madinah, Qassim, Hail, Tabuk, the Eastern Province, Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and Najran.

Authorities said the unstable weather could trigger flash flooding, hailstorms and strong downdrafts capable of generating dust storms that may significantly reduce visibility.In response, Hafar Al-Batin University suspended in-person classes on Monday, shifting to remote learning in its main campus and affiliated colleges in Khafji and Al-Nairyah following meteorological advisories.

The civil defense agency advised residents to remain in safe locations, avoid flood-prone areas and refrain from entering valleys or swimming in affected zones, while monitoring official updates.The warnings follow a series of escalating alerts issued over the weekend, including a red alert for the Madinah region, where forecasters predicted intense rainfall, hail and near-zero visibility conditions.

Weather authorities said the system developed over northern and western regions on Saturday before expanding into central and eastern areas on Sunday, bringing widespread rain and dust-laden winds.

Officials said they continue to monitor the situation closely as adverse weather conditions persist, urging the public to prioritize safety precautions.

Authorities said a vehicle carrying 10 people was caught in a wadi in Barka, where seven individuals were rescued while three others were later found dead. In a separate incident in Al-Maawil, two citizens died after their vehicle was carried away by floodwaters, with their bodies subsequently recovered.

The Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority said emergency teams were deployed to both locations following reports of vehicles being overwhelmed by rising water levels in wadis, which are prone to sudden flooding during periods of intense rainfall.

The agency confirmed that rescue operations resulted in saving seven people from the Barka incident.Officials attributed the fatalities to severe weather conditions affecting parts of the country, though no additional details on rainfall intensity or affected regions were immediately provided.

Oman has faced recurring episodes of deadly flooding in recent years, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall that cause wadis to overflow rapidly. In April 2024, flash floods killed at least 20 people and caused widespread inundation across several areas, highlighting the persistent vulnerability of low-lying zones and road networks to sudden water surges.

Authorities have previously issued warnings about the dangers of crossing flooded wadis, which can turn hazardous within minutes due to upstream rainfall and fast-moving currents.