Extreme Rainfall Events in Saudi Arabia as a Result of Climate Change: A Case Study: The Devastating Jeddah Flood on November 25, 2022

Climate change, specifically global warming, is expected to increase the intensity of the hydrological cycle, leading to more frequent and severe precipitation events and destructive floods. Urbanization is an inexorable phenomenon resulting from societal and economic progress. Urban regions, characterized by high population density, extensive infrastructure, and diverse commercial activities, are highly susceptible to flooding and can experience significant socio-economic damage due to climate change. The mapping and analysis of surface water inundation resulting from heavy rainstorms are necessary for effective flood risk management in metropolitan settings. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has recently undergone notable alterations in its rainfall patterns, including changes in strength, frequency, length, and distribution. These changes have led to destructive floods in various regions. In this study, Jeddah city will be an example to evaluate the rainfall pattern changes and impact of climate change and predict the future trend of rainstorms between 2009 and 2022. In addition, an emphasis will be placed on understanding and comparing the devastating flood events that hit Jeddah city between 2009 and 2022. Finally, evaluating the devastating floods that occurred on 25 November 2022, which led to the submergence of Jeddah city by an unprecedented flood event, will be discussed. Our findings show that extreme precipitation and flooding events in the Jeddah region have intensified due to climate change and will increase in the future. Dams and existing drainage systems played a great role in protecting Jeddah city from wadi floods. However, the lack of surface drainage inside the urban zone increases the impact of urban floods.