Watch as flash flooding causes chunks of bridge to collapse in Israel

Sputnik
Sat, 10 Nov 2018 15:15 UTC

Heavy rainfall throughout 9 November, caused flooding in riverbeds and other low lying areas in the Judaean Desert and the Northern Negev in Israel.

A part of the Route 90 highway near the Dead Sea, has been washed out by mudflows, leaving four people blocked and stranded, the Times of Israel reported.

The individuals have been evacuated on a military helicopter and taken to the nearest hospital by an IDF search-and-rescue team.

Social media users posted numerous videos capturing Route 90 near the Kidron River splitting in half after big chunks of the pavement crumbled several metres into the ground.

The rain is expected to continue during the weekend in southern and eastern Israel.

Flash flood alerts have been issued for the Dead Sea area.

Comment: Vast swathes of the usually arid Middle East has seen flash flooding in recent days:

• More flash floods in Jordan kill 11 - Two weeks after flooding killed 21(UPDATE)
• National Guard called in to help as rains wreak havoc across Kuwait
• Man dies after his car flips over in flash flood in Saudi Arabia
• 14 killed in Saudi Arabia after intense storms cause major flash floods

Although deluges of water are swift becoming the norm all over the globe:

• 12 months' worth of rain in 2 days and unexpected snow hit New Zealand's South Island
• 6 dead as 70% of Venice is flooded following high winds and highest tide in a decade
• Heatwave gives way to deluges as flash-flooding forces thousands to evacuate in southern France
• Flash flooding hits Guadalajara, Mexico - Passengers forced to swim out of rail cars