Saudi Gazette Report

RIYADH — The rate of dust and sand storms in Saudi Arabia recorded a decrease of 80 percent during the last month. This is the lowest rate for the month of May in 20 years, according to reports from the Sand and Dust storm Warning Regional Center.

Jamaan Al-Qahtani, executive vice president of the National Meteorological Center for Meteorological Affairs and executive director of the Sand and Dust Storm Warning Regional Center, said that an 80 percent decrease was recorded in the central and eastern regions, while the Qassim and Northern Border regions witnessed a 100 percent decrease. The Riyadh region recorded a 95 percent decrease while Al-Ahsa registered 86 percent, and Al-Qassim and Arar witnessed a 100 percent decrease.

Al-Qahtani attributed this remarkable improvement in the dust rate fall to the Kingdom’s continuous efforts in the field of preserving the environment, within the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs. These efforts also aimed to reduce the effects of dust and sand storms, limit their effects, and enhance environmental sustainability for current and future generations.

It is noteworthy that the Sand and Dust storm Warning Regional Center, which operates under the umbrella of the National Center of Meteorology, is considered as the fourth center in the world in this field, and has been accredited by the World Meteorological Organization to serve the countries of the region in monitoring storms and preparing scientific research related to dust and sand storms