The new year has begun with a cascade of extreme nature and weather phenomena, from earthquakes in Ethiopia and Nepal to floods in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has been flooded due to thunderstorms, heavy rains, and hail witnessed around Mecca and Medina.
Photos and videos spreading on social media show streets turned into rivers with cars submerged. Some images paint graphic scenes of cars being swept off the road, buses stuck on roads and people scampering for safety in the flooded streets. Residents are evacuating or seeking shelter in safe places.
Saudi Arabia’s National Meteorological Department (NMC) has revealed that moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to continue until 10th January and issued a red alert to residents of Mecca, Madinah, and the Port City of Jeddah.
2024 recorded the highest rainfall in the Gulf region in 75 years resulting in loss of life, 21 in Oman and 4 in the United Arab Emirates, and up to 1.6 to 2.4 billion USD economic losses. The cost of economic damage is likely to be much higher, given the low insurance penetration rate in the country
Based on local media outlets, cities like Riyadh, Al-Baha, and Tabuk are also facing the impacts of the harsh rains, with the closure of all public spaces, schools and some airports rescheduling flights.
Saudi Arabia‘s Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) heightened its readiness in response to heavy rain warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).
The authority confirmed the full operational readiness of its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer units, ensuring uninterrupted ambulance services despite inclement weather, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
It operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.
Climate change impacts are alarmingly becoming unpredictable. Investment in research, infrastructure, and forecasting equipment in communities in high-risk regions would boost preparedness and mitigation efforts.
Continually felt globally, affecting every aspect of life; if the previous year is to go by, the collapse of plastic talks in Busan, South Korea exemplifies the reluctance of the international community to realize the urgency of the climate crisis. Will this year be any different?
