Kuwait's wilderness is engulfed by floods, state of emergency declared

The Health Ministry said the man, 30, disappeared from the many waters while trying to save his family from the flooded house, which was immersed in the Al-Fahaheel area in the east.

An indefinite number of people were also reportedly injured in traffic accidents caused by the rains.

Parliament Speaker Marzuq Al-Ghanim promised on Saturday that the young man's family, killed by heavy rains Friday evening, would not be “remained in the mud”.

The Al-Faheel Flood Witness's Family, Ahmed Al-Fadhli, will not be left alone in the face of life's challenges” said in a press release before the funeral of Al-Fadhli.

He added that he wanted to attend the Mortore ceremony as representative of the Kuwaiti people.

The Kuwaiti Army and National Guard began search operations after authorities evacuated the flood - threatened residents.

Oil and electricity ministers, as well as several oil companies, announced a state of emergency, and the government held an emergency cabinet meeting Saturday morning.

Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Sabah said officials would be investigated and those who failed in their duties to prevent floods would be held accountable.

UNNA state news agency, citing the education ministry, said private and public schools would be closed.

The bad weather is accompanied by torrential rains and flash floods have hit several countries in the region, including Jordans, where 12 people were killed and about 4,000 tourists were forced to flee the famous ancient desert town of Petra.