KUWAIT: A plane flies through the clouds. Kuwait is expected to continue experiencing rainy weather through the weekend according to weather forecasts. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Rainy weather is expected to calm down today before picking up tomorrow evening and continues until next Sunday, a Kuwaiti meteorologist said yesterday. The Sudanese depression starts approaching Kuwait tomorrow morning, which results in thunderstorms that increase gradually the following day, Essa Ramadan said in a statement. He urged fishermen to avoid going to the sea during the weekend. The Interior Ministry issued a statement meanwhile warning people to take caution due to the unstable weather conditions and call the emergency number (112) whenever necessary.

Meanwhile, the United States Embassy issued a message to inform US citizens in Kuwait that the Kuwait Meteorological Department has forecast the potential for heavy rains this week, particularly Tuesday through Saturday. "Heavy rains can quickly overwhelm the drainage systems in the country, which can result in flash floods, deep standing water, power outages, and road closures. US citizens living and traveling in Kuwait should take this information into account and be aware that localized weather conditions throughout Kuwait could change without warning," the statement reads

"This time of year, US citizens living in or traveling to the area should routinely monitor local weather reports and follow directions from local officials. Updated information is available in English from the Kuwait Meteorological Department website.

"In the unlikely event of a weather-related emergency, be sure to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. Carry your travel documents at all times (eg, US passport, birth certificate, picture IDs, etc) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. The Embassy encourages US citizens to also contact friends and family with updates on your whereabouts in the event of an emergency. Additional information on storm preparedness may be found on the 'Natural Disasters' page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website or at Ready.gov.

"We strongly recommend that US citizens traveling to or residing in Kuwait enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the US Embassy to contact you in an emergency. If you do not have Internet access, enroll directly with the US Embassy. Updated information on travel in Kuwait may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada, or from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8 am to 8 pm, Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except US and local holidays).

"Please continue to monitor the Embassy's website for updated information. Please consult the Country Specific Information page for Kuwait, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website. For any emergencies involving US citizens, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit at the US Embassy in Kuwait," the statement concludes.