Severe weather brought the Red Sea International Film Festival to a halt Tuesday, forcing organizers to suspend screenings and close venues in Jeddah amid torrential rainfall and strong winds. The sudden storm, which also led to school closures across the city and surrounding areas, prompted a “red alert” from Saudi meteorological authorities warning of potential flash floods [[1]]. Attendees were urged to shelter in place as the region experiences an unusually intense December weather event.
Red Sea International Film Festival Shuts Down Amid Severe Weather
Attendees at the Red Sea International Film Festival received a notification at 1:45 PM local time informing them of the closure of the Souk area and screening venues in the Cultural Square until further notice. The message urged participants to remain in their hotels, and those already outside were asked to report their location. Those already in the Souk were instructed to stay put as shuttle services to other festival locations were suspended.
Reports surfaced of rainwater leaking through the roof of the temporary structure housing approximately 90 exhibiting companies and serving as a central meeting space.
“They started closing off the exterior and covering the chairs with plastic, I think because they saw the weather forecast, and then they closed here and the Cultural Square, saying you can’t leave,” said one attendee who was stuck in the Souk. An hour later, festival participants received a second message announcing the cancellation of all screenings, events, and programs for the day.
School Suspended in Jeddah
Prior to the storm, the Jeddah Department of Education suspended classes in all schools across the city, as well as in the nearby areas of Rabigh and Khulais, due to forecasts of heavy rainfall and a red weather alert. Outside the festival grounds, secondary roads were flooded but remained passable, with vehicles experiencing difficulty navigating the conditions.
Heavy Rainfall in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi city of Jeddah has been experiencing heavy rainfall since Monday, leading to road closures and flooded streets. Videos circulating online show water levels rising to the height of car tires. The National Center of Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued an updated red alert through 6:00 PM Tuesday, warning of continued rain accompanied by strong winds.
The meteorological service also warned of heavy rains that could lead to flash floods in parts of the Kingdom’s north, west, east, and central regions. Jeddah, located in western Saudi Arabia, generally enjoys a hot climate, with temperatures reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and remaining high in the winter. While strong thunderstorms aren’t uncommon in December, the current weather event is particularly severe.
A thunderstorm hits Jeddah
Thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the coastal city of Jeddah
Saudi Arabia weather: A storm hits Jeddah
Thunderstorms and heavy rain hit the city of Jeddah
The Red Sea International Film Festival was forced to temporarily close its doors Tuesday as a severe storm swept through Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The unexpected weather event disrupted the festival’s programming and prompted safety measures for attendees. The festival, which has been gaining prominence on the international film circuit, was forced to cancel all events for the day.
