Riyadh Launches Response Plan for Heavy Rainfall
Riyadh has unveiled an emergency response plan to address the heavy rainfall in the city and surrounding provinces, Gulf News reported.
From moderate to severe downpour, the rainfall accompanied by hailstorms in some areas.
Recently, authorities have activated an integrated plan to smoothly tackle water accumulation and traffic flow.
The plan highlights 3 stages, including preparation, intervention, as well as recovery.
Furthermore, the municipality has taken strict measures to swiftly tackle the current situation, as follows: Clearing water channels
Maintaining stormwater drainage networks
Keeping emergency equipment prepared
Boosting readiness at Riyadh's emergency operations center
The authorities deployed field teams during the rainfall to carry out drainage operations and manage traffic. Therefore, they exerted remarkable efforts to reduce disruptions in main roads and public facilities.
Crucially, the city mobilized over 6500 personnel including engineers, workers, and inspectors alongside with nearly 1800 specialized vehicles and equipment for rapid intervention.
Apart from this, the municipality informed residents through media efforts and the issuance of regular weather updates and public safety alerts.
Crucially, the authorities advised citizens to report any incidents through the 'Madinati' (My City) app and the unified 940 call center.
Related Topics:
Makkah Authorities Mobilize as Heavy Rainfall Hits Region
In Photos: Blessed Rainfall Freshes Hajj Pilgrims on 1st Day of Tashreeq
Saudi Water Forum Unveils 4 Billion m3 Rainfall Rate in 5 Years
Short link :
Post Views: 16 Related Stories
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
4 days ago
- Leaders
NCM Issues Over 59,000 Weather Bulletins to Support Air Navigation, Safety During Hajj
The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) announced that it issued and transmitted more than 59,000 meteorological reports and data entries during the 1446 Hajj season. These efforts were aimed at supporting air navigation and ensuring flight safety by providing accurate, timely information to relevant authorities. As part of its broader operations during the pilgrimage, NCM also issued over 39,000 weather bulletins to assist agencies responsible for crowd management and pilgrim services. These measures were designed to help maintain a safe and stable environment throughout the holy sites. In addition to its operational activities, the center conducted three specialized field research studies involving more than 25 researchers and experts. The studies focused on monitoring microclimate variations, advancing forecasting technologies, and evaluating the environmental and public health impacts of weather conditions in the holy areas. Artificial intelligence was also utilized to enhance the accuracy of numerical weather models. These initiatives were carried out under a comprehensive operational plan developed in coordination with various authorities. The plan also included public awareness campaigns and field outreach programs at the Grand Mosque, the holy sites, and Haramain High-Speed Railway stations, supported by NCM's partners across several service sectors. NCM reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety through high standards of quality and integration, in line with the Kingdom's leadership vision and the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia, Netherlands Discuss Trade Cooperation ROSHN Green Initiative Center: Inspiring Future Environmental Leaders Saudi Arabia Welcomes Foreign Real Estate Investors Outside Holy Cities All You Need to Know about Hajj Rituals: A Step-by-Step Guide Short link : Post Views: 15
Arab News
6 days ago
- Arab News
Hajj moves on: Pilgrimage shifts to cooler seasons for next 25 years
MAKKAH: Hajj this year will be remembered not only for its spiritual significance but also for its climatic turning point. According to the National Center of Meteorology, the 1446 Hajj season officially marks the end of the pilgrimage coinciding with the peak summer months, a pattern that will not return for another 25 years. Over the next two decades, the Islamic lunar calendar will bring Hajj progressively into cooler seasons. Eight upcoming pilgrimages will take place in spring, followed by another eight in winter. After that, the dates will fall in autumn, gradually warming again until Hajj re-enters the summer cycle around the year 2050. This shift is part of the natural lunar cycle, which causes the Islamic calendar to shift backward by about 10 to 11 days each Gregorian year. For Saudi authorities, climate experts, and pilgrims alike, the change provides relief from one of the most challenging aspects of performing Hajj: having to endure blistering desert temperatures. For decades, the Kingdom's efforts to enhance infrastructure and expand services during Hajj have often had to work around the burden of extreme heat. From providing cooling mist fans and shaded walkways to using emergency teams trained in heatstroke response, the challenge of keeping millions of pilgrims safe during peak summer has been central to planning. 'This marks a pivotal moment,' said Hamza Al-Dosari, a Riyadh-based geographer and climate researcher. 'The summer pilgrimage has always brought with it additional risks — dehydration, heat exhaustion, and logistical pressures. Moving into spring and winter seasons means significantly reduced heat exposure for the pilgrims, and this will have both health and operational implications.' Al-Dosari said the coming years will offer a rare opportunity to rethink how the Hajj experience is managed. 'We'll be seeing pilgrimages that occur in temperatures often 10 to 15 degrees lower than what we've dealt with in recent years. This changes everything, from the energy load on cooling systems to how fast emergency response teams can work. It also makes the pilgrimage more accessible to the elderly and those with chronic conditions.' He also noted that this shift does not remove the need for continued environmental preparation. 'Spring and winter bring their own weather patterns — rain, wind, occasional cold snaps. The planning doesn't get easier; it just changes. But it will be a welcome adjustment for many.' For pilgrims such as Sarah Al-Abdulmohsen, who performed Hajj this year, the news that future seasons will be cooler came with mixed emotions. 'I'm incredibly grateful I made it this year, but the heat was truly overwhelming,' said the 32-year-old Saudi from Dhahran. 'At one point in Mina, I checked my phone and it said 47°C. You try to focus on your prayers, but your body is screaming for shade and water.' Al-Abdulmohsen said she was thrilled to hear that future pilgrims will perform their rituals under gentler weather. 'It's good news. This will make a huge difference for the elderly and for families who've always worried about how the heat might affect their loved ones.' She added that the intense conditions only strengthened her admiration for the logistics of the pilgrimage. 'Despite the temperature, I saw volunteers helping people constantly — giving out water, spraying cooling mist. But you can't deny that cooler seasons will make Hajj more comfortable, even emotionally. You'll have more clarity of mind, more presence in your prayers.' The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques have not yet released public statements on how this seasonal shift will influence future planning, but the long-term outlook is promising. 'This could be a historic period for rethinking pilgrim services,' Al-Dosari said. 'Think about transportation, food distribution, energy consumption — all of these improve in moderate weather. Even spiritual engagement may deepen, as pilgrims won't be fighting against their physical limits to complete the rituals.' With temperatures expected to be in the 20s and 30s Celsius in future seasons, planners may also be able to expand the use of outdoor spaces and reduce reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems, helping to align Hajj services with Saudi Arabia's broader sustainability goals under Vision 2030. While many are welcoming the change, some seasoned pilgrims may find themselves nostalgic. Summer Hajj has been the norm for most Saudis under 40, with its own rhythm, expectations, and sense of trial. The struggle against heat has long been part of the journey's narrative, testing faith and endurance. Yet, for many others, especially those who delayed Hajj because of health concerns, this shift will finally open the door. With temperatures easing, the coming years could mean an increase in the number of pilgrims who were previously unable to perform the rituals due to medical or age-related reasons. As the lunar calendar resets the course of one of Islam's most important rituals, this transition may redefine what Hajj looks and feels like for an entire generation, not just spiritually, but physically and emotionally as well.
Saudi Gazette
08-06-2025
- Saudi Gazette
NCM: Next Hajj in spring season and Hajj in summer will occur after 25 years
Saudi Gazette Report MINA— Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman of the National Center for Meteorology (NCM), stated that this year's Hajj season marks the end of the Hajj season coinciding with the summer months. He noted that the next eight Hajj seasons will occur during spring, followed by eight more in winter, then in autumn with gradually rising temperatures, before returning to summer after approximately 25 years. The NCM spokesperson cited that this shift is due to the lunar calendar cycle, which offers pilgrims the opportunity to perform Hajj rituals in more moderate weather conditions during the coming years.
