In response to reports and warnings issued by the National Center for Meteorology, the Jeddah Municipality has activated its comprehensive field plans and taken all necessary precautionary measures to deal with the expected rainfall in Jeddah . This proactive step aims to ensure the safety of residents and protect public and private property. The plans include deploying technical teams, vehicles, and equipment to pre-determined target locations. Furthermore, the highest level of preparedness has been activated, and direct and continuous coordination has been established with all relevant government and security agencies to ensure a highly efficient and professional response to the upcoming rainfall.
Significant development in infrastructure to mitigate flood risks
Jeddah enjoys a unique geographical location between the Red Sea coast and the Sarawat Mountains, historically making it vulnerable to flash floods and water accumulation during periods of heavy rainfall. In recent years, the city has faced significant challenges due to climate change, prompting Saudi Arabian authorities to launch massive infrastructure development projects. These projects have included the construction of protective dams, the expansion of floodwater drainage channels, and the modernization of sewage networks in various neighborhoods. These historical experiences and lessons learned have made early preparedness imperative, which explains the current mobilization of the municipality and its implementation of the highest quality standards in crisis management to ensure that no past damage is repeated.
Strengthening support centers to cope with expected rainfall in Jeddah
The municipality has raised its early preparedness level for the rainy season by strengthening and equipping 15 strategically distributed support centers across 11 sub-municipalities. This distribution aims to ensure comprehensive and rapid geographical coverage throughout the governorate. The intensive preparations included conducting regular maintenance and thorough cleaning of the existing stormwater drainage network in various neighborhoods and main and secondary streets. These steps are taken to ensure the smooth flow of water and the absence of any obstructions or debris that could impede drainage during actual rainfall, thus helping to prevent the formation of waterlogged areas.
Readiness of technical equipment and human resources
The Jeddah Municipality confirmed the readiness of all pumps and heavy and light equipment designated for water drainage, in addition to deploying trained and qualified personnel to ensure rapid response and immediate intervention when needed in critical locations. Field teams are operating according to a well-planned deployment strategy based on accurate data, aimed at minimizing response times to reports from citizens and residents. The plan also focuses on addressing water accumulations in record time to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and maintain the safety of road users and pedestrians at all times.
The positive impact of early preparations on society and the economy
The importance of these extensive preparations extends beyond the environmental and service aspects; their anticipated impact encompasses economic and social dimensions at both the local and regional levels. Locally, these measures contribute to the uninterrupted flow of economic activity, ensuring that markets, commercial centers, and logistics routes remain open and secure. They also bolster the confidence of residents and investors in the city's crisis management capabilities. Regionally, this preparedness reflects the Kingdom's commitment to providing a sustainable and safe urban environment, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes quality of life. This serves as a model for managing coastal cities during the rainy season.
Activating awareness messages and communicating with the public
In parallel with field efforts, the Municipality continues to closely monitor alerts issued by the National Center of Meteorology and the Crisis and Disaster Management Center. Extensive awareness campaigns have been launched across various official channels and social media platforms to communicate directly with the public. These media efforts aim to educate residents and visitors on the importance of following safety instructions during rainfall and avoiding areas prone to flooding and wadis (valleys). The Municipality also urges everyone to support the efforts of the relevant authorities in the field by reporting any emergencies to ensure the weather passes safely and without significant damage.
