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Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains
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On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms. (SPA)
Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains
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On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms. (SPA)
Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains
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On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms. (SPA)
Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains
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On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms. (SPA)
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Updated 06 January 2025

Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

Makkah authorities on high alert amid heavy rains

JEDDAH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority’s Makkah branch has increased its readiness in response to warnings of heavy rain issued by the National Center for Meteorology.

On Monday, several regions of the Kingdom, including Makkah and Madinah, experienced heavy rain and thunderstorms, with the Civil Defense expecting the weather to continue until Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The authority stated that its command-and-control room, ambulance stations, rapid response teams, and volunteer ambulance units in Makkah are fully operational.

The Makkah region has on standby teams of doctors, specialists, and emergency medical technicians, the authority said.

A total of 1,420 staff members are ready to respond, supported by 149 vehicles. This includes advanced ambulances, disaster response vehicles, and an air ambulance for critical situations, the SPA added.

The authority urged citizens and residents to follow official instructions, exercise caution, and prioritize road safety during heavy rainfall.

The public was also asked to cooperate with ambulance teams by clearing the way for them on the roads, the SPA reported.

The authority operates 24/7, and individuals can request ambulance services by calling 997 or through the Asefne app in emergencies.


ºÚÁÏÉçÇø protects rare marine ecosystems with 2 new reserves

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø protects rare marine ecosystems with 2 new reserves
Updated 11 sec ago

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø protects rare marine ecosystems with 2 new reserves

ºÚÁÏÉçÇø protects rare marine ecosystems with 2 new reserves
  • Aim to protect 30% of Saudi by 2030
  • Unique biodiversity and tourism value

RIYADH: ºÚÁÏÉçÇøâ€™s Council of Ministers has included the Ras Hatiba and Blue Holes marine areas on the Kingdom’s national list of reserves, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The move reflects ºÚÁÏÉçÇøâ€™s commitment to protecting biodiversity and advancing sustainable development goals under Vision 2030, the SPA reported.

Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said the decision followed extensive biological, natural, and social studies confirming the two reserves’ unique biodiversity, and economic and tourism value.

Located northwest of Jeddah, Ras Hatiba covers 5,715 sq. km and features coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds — key habitats for green turtles, dugongs, whales, dolphins, and sharks.

The Blue Holes areas are rich in marine life, including turtles, fish, mammals, and invertebrates. Their discovery was first announced in 2022 after 20 such formations were found along the southern Red Sea coast.

With the addition of these two protected areas, the Kingdom’s nature reserves now cover 16.1 percent of its territory, up from 6.5 percent, and moving closer to the national goal of 30 percent by 2030.