[h=2]Middle East Flood Threat Continues
[h=6]By
Eric Leister, Meteorologist [h=5]November 20, 2013; 6:47 AM
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The above video discusses the weather across the globe.
Flooding targeted the Middle East for the past week causing death as heavy rains continue through the middle of the week.
A new round of heavy rain and gusty thunderstorms pushed across Iraq Monday and Tuesday adding to the rainfall that has already fallen during the last five to eight days.
Officials have already told
The Daily Star in Lebanon that 11 people have been killed by the flooding in southern Iraq.
Over 50 mm (2 inches) of rain was recorded in Karbalaa Monday night and Tuesday, and close to 50 mm has fallen so far in Iraq's capital city of Baghdad with the latest round of rain. Additional rainfall of up to 25-50 mm (1-2 inches) is likely across the southern half of Iraq through Wednesday night which could bring some localized flooding.
Flooding rainfall also hit Iraq last Tuesday, flooding the streets of
Baghdad.
The same slow moving storm system from last week shifted southward over the weekend bring heavy downpours to parts of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar.
Iraqis make their way through a flooded street after heavy rain fell in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim).
Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, saw rounds of heavy rainfall Saturday night and also on Sunday that prompted widespread street flooding.
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The famous Kingdom Tower in Riyadh was reportedly struck by lightning during the storms, according to
Emirates247.com.
Following the widespread flooding that knocked out power to parts of the city and made travel nearly impossible, civil defense officials stated at least four people were killed, according to
UPI.
Unfortunately this storm system will continue to produce rounds of locally heavy rainfall and flooding across eastern Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran through at least Thursday.
The generally dry and hard ground of the region can quickly lead to flash flooding problems when heavy rain falls.