Sand and Dust Storm Regional Center
This initiative is founded on comprehensive national strategies developed in accordance with World Meteorological Organization standards. It focuses on tackling dust and sandstorm challenges and minimizing their impact through the implementation of an advanced monitoring system at both national and regional scales.
Sand and Dust Storm Regional Center
Objectives of the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms:
- Enhancing Accuracy: Improve the accuracy of forecasts regarding the behavior of dust and sandstorms in both the short and long term.
- Monitoring and Prediction: Enhance the precision of monitoring and predicting dust and sandstorms.
- Research and Studies: Conduct studies and research related to dust and sandstorms, their phenomena, and impacts, while providing recommendations to mitigate their effects.
- Community Awareness: Raise public awareness and issue proactive warnings about the damages caused by dust and sandstorms.
- Support Green Initiatives: Support the plans of the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.
Environmental Challenges in Saudi Arabia:
- Drought and Desertification.
- Water Scarcity.
- Land Degradation.
- Limited and Fragile Vegetation Cover.
- Extreme Climate Conditions.
The Center Studies the Impact of Dust and Sandstorms on:
1 - Human Health:
- Respiratory diseases.
- Eye diseases.
- Skin diseases and allergies.
2 - Infrastructure and Economy:
- Industrial equipment and machinery.
- Power lines.
- Transportation and roadways.
- Buildings and structures.
- Solar panels.
3 - Food Security:
- The agricultural sector.
- Sustainability of crop sector.
- Suitable sites for afforestation and reforestation.
- Cultivated lands.
4 - Natural Reserves and Heritage Sites
- Protecting natural reserves and private properties