Civil Defense launches an important awareness campaign about weather phenomena
Introduction to the Important to Know Campaign
The Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defense, in cooperation and coordination with various relevant government agencies, continues its intensive efforts in implementing its comprehensive awareness program for dealing with weather phenomena under the slogan "It's Important to Know." This national campaign aims to promote a culture of prevention and safety among all members of society and raise the level of community preparedness to best deal with the climatic fluctuations experienced in the regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in order to ensure the safety of lives and property and reduce losses resulting from accidents.
General context and climate changes in the Kingdom
The "It's Important to Know" campaign comes amidst a general context of significant climate changes at both the regional and international levels. In recent years, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries have experienced higher than usual rainfall and the formation of dense thunderstorms, leading to flash floods in several areas. Historically, the Saudi Civil Defense has always been at the forefront of responding to such events. However, the current strategic shift focuses more on "proactive prevention" and raising awareness, rather than simply "responding to crises." This approach aligns with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to build a vibrant society and a safe and sustainable environment for all.
The importance of the event and its impact on the local community
The importance of this awareness campaign lies in its direct and profound impact at the local level. Locally, ongoing awareness efforts contribute to reducing the number of accidents resulting from drowning or vehicles becoming trapped in wadis, thus saving lives and minimizing economic and material losses. Furthermore, raising community awareness reduces the burden and pressure on rescue and emergency teams, enabling them to respond to critical situations more efficiently. Regionally, the Kingdom is considered a model to be emulated in crisis and natural disaster management, as these campaigns reflect the advanced level of development in emergency management and civilian protection.
Important guidelines for safety from the dangers of flash floods
In this context, the General Directorate of Civil Defense stressed the need for extreme caution during rainfall. It strongly warned against approaching potential hazards associated with rainwater runoff, such as flash floods and water accumulation in low-lying areas. It emphasized the prohibition of attempting to cross wadis (valleys) by vehicle or on foot, and advised against hiking in wadi beds or swimming in pools of water that form after rainfall, as these are unsafe environments fraught with hidden dangers. The Directorate also issued a special appeal to parents to ensure the safety of their children, supervise them constantly, and keep them away from areas where water accumulates, while strictly adhering to all instructions and guidelines issued by the relevant authorities.
Emergency numbers and contact information for Civil Defense
The General Directorate of Civil Defense urged all citizens and residents to obtain information and follow continuous weather updates and instructions through official channels of relevant authorities, such as the National Center for Meteorology and the Civil Defense accounts on social media platforms. In case of emergencies or to request assistance, the Directorate clarified that the National Security Operations Center should be contacted at 911 in the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions. In the rest of the Kingdom, the Civil Defense operations number, 998, should be contacted to ensure immediate and necessary assistance is provided promptly.
