Wadi Hanifa
Wadi Hanifa is a seasonal river in the Najd region of central Saudi Arabia, in Riyadh Province. It runs about 120 kilometers from northwest to southeast and passes through Riyadh, the capital. Towns along the valley include Uyaynah, Irqah, and Diriyah. The city of Riyadh lies to the northeast of the wadi and has now grown across it, with areas Al-Shifa and Al-Urayja on the southwest side.
In ancient times the wadi was known as al-Irdh. The name Wadi Hanifa comes from the Banu Hanifa, the main Arab tribe in the area during the Islamic era.
Long ago the region had heavy rain and was said to have had oases and fertile farmland during the time of Al-Yamamah.
Today the climate is hot and dry. Summer temperatures average around 42.9 C (109.2 F). Rainfall is sparse, about 60 millimeters per year in the driest places. When it does rain, it is often heavy but brief, which can cause flash floods. Much of the rain evaporates quickly, and what remains recharges groundwater.
Groundwater is plentiful, but Riyadh’s rapid growth has stressed it. The city has grown from about 150,000 people in 1960 to around 5 million today.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:13 (CET).