The death toll from the unusually heavy rains that hit western Saudi Arabia has reached 106, an official said yesterday.

The official said rescue teams were looking for possible survivors from the downpours that caused heavy flooding in the coastal city of Jiddah, the main entry point for the millions of Muslims performing the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The deaths have been blamed on flooding and collapsed homes and bridges.

Sami Badawood, spokesman of health services in Jiddah, said in a statement that area hospitals have been equipped to deal with any possible outbreaks of diseases resulting from the flooding, such as dengue fever.