The death toll from flooding in Saudi Arabia has risen to 83, the Al-Riyadh newspaper reported on Friday.
Heavy rains lashed Jeddah and the adjacent holy sites of Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafath, where pilgrims spent their first day of Hajj on Wednesday.
A state of emergency was declared in Jeddah, located 80 km (50 miles) west of Mecca. Traffic in the city was paralyzed due to downpours, and the sewage system was severely affected.
Local authorities said most of the deaths occurred in the city's eastern and southern districts. They also warned the death toll could grow further.
Prince Khalid Alfaisal, the governor of the Makkah Region was quoted by the Saudi Press Agency as saying that immediate financial aid would be provided to those affected by the flood. He said the aid would cover housing, food and other necessary supplies.
Meanwhile, the number of foreign pilgrims arriving in Mecca for Hajj is expected to exceed 3 million. Saudi Arabian Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah said however there were no victims among pilgrims, the SPA reported.
RIYADH, November 27 (RIA Novosti)
