Deputy Minister of Environment inspects the National Center for Meteorology and Rain Enhancement Technologies in Jeddah
As part of ongoing efforts to develop the environmental and meteorological system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Engineer Mansour Al-Mashiti, conducted a comprehensive inspection visit to the headquarters of the National Center for Meteorology in Jeddah. The visit aimed to closely examine the operational and technical processes and assess the center's technological infrastructure and regional facilities, ensuring the achievement of the objectives of the National Environment Strategy.
Enhancing water security through cloud seeding technologies
Engineer Al-Mashiti began his field tour with a visit to the cloud seeding program's operations room, where he received a detailed briefing on the latest technologies used in artificial rainmaking operations. This program is a key enabler of the Saudi Green Initiative, aiming to increase rainfall by up to 20% above current levels, thus contributing to enhanced water security, vegetation development, and combating desertification in the Kingdom.
Regional leadership in addressing climate change
In line with the Kingdom's leading role regionally and internationally, the tour included an inspection of the regional centers hosted by the Kingdom, specifically the Regional Center for Climate Change. The Deputy Minister was briefed on the center's operational framework and digital climate archiving system, which serves as a scientific reference for countries in the region. He also visited the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorm Warning, which plays a pivotal role in the early monitoring and analysis of these weather phenomena that affect public health and the economy, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to the outcomes of the Green Middle East Initiative.
Digital transformation and the accuracy of weather forecasts
During his inspection of the Saudi Meteorology platform, Al-Mashiti emphasized the importance of digital transformation in enhancing the efficiency of meteorological services. He reviewed the platform's operational capabilities and its role in ensuring the accurate monitoring of weather conditions and the rapid dissemination of warning information to beneficiaries, whether government sectors or individuals, thus contributing to the safety of lives and property.
He also reviewed the operations at the Weather Monitoring and Forecasting Operations Center, examining the various numerical modeling and probabilistic forecasting systems. These advanced systems contribute to reducing forecasting errors, which is crucial for the aviation, maritime, agricultural, and event management sectors in the Kingdom.
Institutional integration and community awareness
The Deputy Minister of Environment concluded his tour with a visit to the Media Production and Digital Communication Center, where he was briefed on the center's awareness initiatives aimed at raising public awareness of meteorology. At the end of the visit, he emphasized the need to strengthen integration and coordination between the National Center of Meteorology and all relevant stakeholders to ensure the rapid exchange of information and the accuracy of data. This, he stressed, would support effective decision-making and enhance national preparedness for dealing with various weather conditions and extreme climate phenomena.
