Saudi Arabia identifies key dust storm hotspots
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms has identified six primary zones as the main sources of dust formation in the Kingdom, as part of its broader efforts to mitigate the impact of increasing sandstorms.
The identified areas include: the Al-Jafurah region, Nafud Al-Thuwairat, the Hasma Plateau, the western fringes of the Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali), the southwestern edge of the Tuwaiq Escarpment, and the southern Red Sea coastline.
While satellite data indicates a slight decline in overall atmospheric dust levels, experts warn that sandstorm frequency and intensity could rise due to climate change.
In response, Saudi Arabia is advancing environmental policies aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.
As part of its international environmental commitments, the Kingdom launched a five-year global initiative worth $10 million to strengthen early warning systems for sand and dust storms. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's climate adaptation framework and aims to bolster regional resilience.
Dust storms pose a significant threat not only to infrastructure — damaging power lines, telecom networks, and industrial machinery — but also to sustainable development goals.
The United Nations has classified sandstorms as a major obstacle to economic, environmental, and social stability.
To address root causes, Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with its ambitious goal to plant 10 billion trees nationwide, a reforestation drive covering roughly 74 million hectares. The strategy aims to restore ecological functions, reduce desertification, and improve air quality across the Kingdom.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia identifies key dust storm hotspots
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms has identified six primary zones as the main sources of dust formation in the Kingdom, as part of its broader efforts to mitigate the impact of increasing sandstorms. The identified areas include: the Al-Jafurah region, Nafud Al-Thuwairat, the Hasma Plateau, the western fringes of the Empty Quarter (Rub' al Khali), the southwestern edge of the Tuwaiq Escarpment, and the southern Red Sea coastline. While satellite data indicates a slight decline in overall atmospheric dust levels, experts warn that sandstorm frequency and intensity could rise due to climate change. In response, Saudi Arabia is advancing environmental policies aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative. As part of its international environmental commitments, the Kingdom launched a five-year global initiative worth $10 million to strengthen early warning systems for sand and dust storms. The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's climate adaptation framework and aims to bolster regional resilience. Dust storms pose a significant threat not only to infrastructure — damaging power lines, telecom networks, and industrial machinery — but also to sustainable development goals. The United Nations has classified sandstorms as a major obstacle to economic, environmental, and social stability. To address root causes, Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with its ambitious goal to plant 10 billion trees nationwide, a reforestation drive covering roughly 74 million hectares. The strategy aims to restore ecological functions, reduce desertification, and improve air quality across the Kingdom.
Saudi Gazette
3 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Syria brings massive wildfires under control after 10-day battle in Latakia
DAMASCUS — Authorities in Syria announced Sunday that some of the country's worst wildfires in years have been brought under control following 10 days of intense firefighting in the heavily forested mountains of Latakia province. The fires, fueled by high winds, scorching summer temperatures, and unexploded ordnance left from Syria's 13-year conflict, scorched more than 15,000 hectares of forest. No civilian casualties were reported, although several firefighters sustained injuries due to road conditions and extreme heat, according to the Civil Defense. The blazes began in early July and spread rapidly through mountainous terrain, prompting a coordinated response involving ground crews, aerial firefighting units, and engineering teams who worked to carve out firebreaks. Syrian helicopters, including aircraft flown by former military defectors now rejoining government service, conducted continuous water drops over affected ridgelines. By Saturday evening, crews had successfully contained the fires on all fronts, according to Col. Ameen al-Ameen, who said teams worked 'day and night' for 10 consecutive days. Cooling and monitoring operations continue on the ground to prevent of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh described the situation as 'promising' and praised the efforts of local and international firefighting units, including support from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Qatar. He vowed that 'not a single spark will be left behind.'The United Nations also pledged $625,000 from the Syria Humanitarian Fund to support affected communities. Initial UN assessments suggest thousands have been displaced, with widespread damage to farmland and local infrastructure.U.N. Humanitarian Coordinator Adam Abdelmoula warned of long-term consequences, emphasizing the need for urgent international support. 'The wildfires have had catastrophic consequences on the local communities and require our immediate attention,' he note that climate change and below-average winter rainfall have worsened wildfire conditions across the eastern Mediterranean, contributing to severe water shortages in Syria this summer.
Saudi Gazette
30-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
NCM Forecast: Dust storms expected across Saudi Arabia until next week
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) expects dust-storms would continue hitting across several regions of Saudi Arabia, from Monday until the beginning of next week. The NCM said in its weather statement that winds are expected to continue active in the Eastern Province, the eastern parts of Makkah, Madinah, and Asir, as well as in the Najran region and the coastal road from Jeddah to Jazan. The center warned that parts of the Riyadh region would be affected by dust storms, including active winds and reduced horizontal visibility from 3 to 5 kilometers. The governorates of Al-Sulayyil and Wadi Al-Dawasir would be affected by dust storms from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Al-Aflaj from 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meanwhile, the capital city of Riyadh and the governorates of Diriyah, Al-Kharj, Al-Hariq, Al-Dalam, Al-Muzahmiyya, and Hawtah Bani Tamim would be affected by dust storms from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as the governorates of Al-Dawadmi, Al-Rayn, Al-Quwayiyah, and Afif from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It also expected that the effects of the active winds would extend to parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf, Hail, Al-Qassim, and Riyadh regions. Meteorological forecasts indicated that hot to very hot weather would continue in the Eastern Province on Monday and Tuesday, with maximum temperatures expected to reach at 47 degrees Celsius.
