Kuwait flood damages estimated at over $300 million

Flash floods after heavy rains in Kuwait have caused hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of damage in the country, wreaking havoc on roads, bridges and homes.

Officials have estimated the damage at $328 million dollars, with roads and tunnels paralyzed by an accumulation of clay following heavy rains, Kuwaiti daily al-Seyassah reported.

Kuwait's minister of public works said that the flooded areas have been evacuated and local municipalities have begun a huge clean-up operation to clear roads and highways.

At least one person died in the floods after being swept away while trying to rescue his family from their home.

An unspecified number of people were also reported injured in traffic accidents caused by the rains.

Several vehicles in many areas of the desert kingdom were washed away by the floods, particularly in newly-build residential areas.

The Kuwaiti army and the national guard launched search operations as authorities set aside several locations to receive residents threatened by flooding.

The state news agency KUNA, quoting the ministry of education, said that private and public schools had been temporarily closed.

Bad weather - accompanied by torrential rains and flash floods - have hit several countries in the region, including Jordan where 12 people have been killed and nearly 4,000 tourists forced to flee the famed ancient desert city of Petra.