Muhammad Al-Enezi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

DAMMAM – The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) called on authorities to enforce an earthquake-resistant building code.



SGS spokesman Tareq Aba Al-Khail said it is extremely important that this code be enforced because it will reduce any damage or harm that might occur due to a strong tremor such as the one that hit Iran recently.



The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs issued a code but has not enforced it and tied it to the issuance of new construction licenses.



“I think this should be obligatory, not optional for all projects, buildings, schools, hospitals, etc.,” Al-Khail said while noting that the code will increase construction costs by 10 percent but will protect the people in the event of tremors.



Meanwhile, the National Center for Earthquakes and Volcanoes (NCEV) will build 117 earthquake-monitoring stations in the Kingdom over the next three years at a cost of SR46 million, according to NCEV director Hani Zahran.



Zahran said the Eastern Province is safe but it is prone to tremors if earthquakes hit a region in Iran that is close to the province just like what happened a few days ago when residents here felt the earthquake whose epicenter was in Iran.



“Over 9,000 tremors were registered in the Kingdom last year; 1,140 of which took place in the Gulf of Aqaba, 755 north of the Red Sea, 674 in the middle of the Red Sea, and 78 in the southwestern region,” he said while adding that the situation in the Eastern Province was reassuring.



Some areas like Harat Al-Shaqa, 200 km away from Madinah, the Gulf of Aqaba, northern areas of the Red Sea and the southwest of the Kingdom are more prone to tremors. The NCEV said these areas are not suitable for building houses.



Zahran said 95 percent of NCEV staff are Saudis who do maintenance work or analyze earthquake data or conduct earthquake or volcano research.



However, the center needs to hire more employees to work night shifts and conduct studies, he added.



Last year, the Ministry of Finance allocated money for 15 new positions at the center but more human resources are needed.



While the center does not discriminate against women, Zahran said women are reluctant to apply because working in the stations is a strenuous job that often requires employees to work in remote areas.