Although downgraded to a tropical depression before landfall (winds no longer > 34 knots), the tropical depression flooded yemen with torrential rain and strong thunderstorms. Highest impact was on SE Yemen, mainly in Hadramaut which was declared a disaster zone. More than 60 people have died due to the flooding rain as rainwater flowed down the wadis as many mud-made houses collapsed.
Satellite view of tropical storm 03B nearing Yemen coast
Rainfall amounts are estimated to be between 100 and 300m in just 30 hours!
Observed precipitation amount during last 7 days. See red spot over SE Yemen.
Read more about tropical storm 03B from Nasa and Jim Andrews (international wether expert at Accuweather)
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On the other hand, moisture flowing from the storm brought some welcome rain in some parts of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait with the help of a low pressure that was making its way towards Iraq. The above rainfall map shows amounts between 1 and 25mm scattered in Southern Saudi Arabia trailing all the way to Northern Saudi Arabia. Most of the rain was accompanies by lightning and thunder.
Rain/thunderstorms events:
Kuwait on Oct 26, 2008.
Hafr Al-Batin  (Saudi Arabia) on Oct 24, 2008.
Najran (Saudi Arabia) on Oct 24 & 25, 2008. 48m on Oct 24!
Lightning radar Oct 25, 2008. Blue spots represent lightning strikes
In the next 2 days I will be writing about the first wintry-type cold front that is expected to affect Arabia after a few days.
