Strong winds divert flights from Riyadh

The airport's radio control room informed airport authorities at 7.45 p.m. that its runway could not be used due to poor visibility. Due to the sudden change in weather, all domestic and international flights were diverted to Dammam.

Airport authorities took immediate action to clear the runway from dust particles after the storm subsided. The runway was subsequently reopened at 9.45 p.m.

Sri Lankan Airlines Manager Indunil Wijekone told Arab News that a Sri Lankan flight arrived at the airport at 10.15 p.m. following resumption of flights.

Traffic police deployed staff at all strategic points to control the moving traffic in case of another sudden change in weather.

On Wednesday evening, the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment warned that heavy rains coupled with thunderstorms were expected in Riyadh, Al-Qassim and Hail.

Two people died, one person was injured and 155 people were rescued following Monday's rains in the capital, according to officials, Kazinform cites Arab News. See www.arabnews.com