Seven people have died in floods that hit northern Hail province of mainly desert Saudi Arabia, local media reported Wednesday.

The floods were triggered by heavy downpours that struck the region on Tuesday.

The victims had either drowned or were killed in car accidents caused by the floods.

The authorities ordered schools in the region to close and blocked access to wadies to prevent further drownings.

In November, 11 people died in floods that hit various areas of Saudi Arabia, one of the world's driest countries.