In a positive climate indicator reflecting stable weather conditions, the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms revealed today (Thursday) that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia did not record any dust storms yesterday (Wednesday), in a remarkable climate contrast compared to neighboring countries that witnessed significant wind and dust activity.

The report issued by the center explained that the surrounding region recorded a total of 78 hours of dust activity of varying intensity, with Jordan topping the list with 23 hours of dust, followed by Turkmenistan with 18 hours, and then Cyprus, which witnessed 12 hours of dust activity.

In addition to the accurate monitoring carried out by the center of the regional weather situation, the data included recording 11 hours of dust activity in Iraq, 8 hours in the Arab Republic of Egypt, in addition to 4 hours in Uzbekistan, and one hour in Syria, while the atmosphere of the Kingdom was characterized by complete clarity and its freedom from any influential dust particles during the monitoring period.

The role of the regional center and the importance of climate monitoring

This announcement underscores the vital role played by the Regional Center for Dust and Sandstorms, based in the Kingdom, in accurately monitoring weather phenomena. The center is a testament to the Kingdom's efforts in environmental conservation and combating climate change, operating according to the latest international standards for monitoring sandstorms, which are among the most significant environmental challenges in the Middle East and North Africa region.

This data is particularly important given the Kingdom's vast geographical diversity, which typically leads to variations in climate and weather across its different regions. However, the complete absence of dust in the Kingdom on a day of intense activity in neighboring countries demonstrates the variability of pressure systems and their varying impact on the region.

Environmental and health impacts

It is worth noting that monitoring and tracking dust storms is not limited to statistical aspects alone; its impact extends to health and economic aspects. The absence of dust means an improvement in air quality, which has a positive effect on public health, especially for those with respiratory conditions, and also facilitates air and land navigation.

Through its various environmental initiatives, such as the Saudi Green Initiative, the Kingdom seeks to reduce the causes of dust storms in the future by increasing vegetation cover and combating desertification, making the Regional Center’s reports an important indicator for measuring progress in stabilizing the regional and local climate.

As part of ongoing efforts to care for Saudi citizens abroad and provide them with the highest levels of healthcare, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Cairo announced the successful medical evacuation of a Saudi citizen, male and female, after they suffered a critical health condition that required their urgent transfer back to the homeland.

Details of the medical evacuation process

The embassy explained that it had been monitoring the health of the citizens from the outset, coordinating directly and swiftly with the relevant Egyptian authorities to facilitate the transfer. The evacuation was carried out via a dedicated Saudi Ministry of Defense medical evacuation aircraft, equipped with the latest medical technology and staffed by specialized personnel to handle critical cases during the flight. The aircraft departed from Cairo International Airport bound for the Kingdom to complete the patients' treatment program in specialized hospitals.

Government care and leadership guidance

This step comes in implementation of the directives of the wise leadership – may God support them – which places the health and safety of Saudi citizens at the forefront of its priorities, whether inside or outside the Kingdom. Medical air evacuations are an integral part of the comprehensive care system provided by the state to its citizens, where all diplomatic, military, and health resources are mobilized to ensure the safe and secure return of citizens facing emergency medical conditions abroad to their homeland.

Capabilities of the Saudi medical evacuation fleet

It is worth noting that the Saudi Ministry of Defense's air medical evacuation fleet is among the largest and most advanced in the Middle East and the world. The fleet includes jet and helicopter aircraft equipped as flying intensive care units, enabling the transfer of critical and complex cases over long distances without compromising the patient's stability. This rapid response reflects the high level of preparedness of the relevant authorities and their exceptional ability to manage emergency health crises efficiently and effectively.

Saudi-Egyptian cooperation

This operation also highlights the deep fraternal relations and close cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Republic of Egypt. Egyptian authorities demonstrated significant cooperation in facilitating all logistical, security, and medical procedures at Cairo Airport to ensure the swift transfer of citizens. This joint coordination underscores the strength of the ties between the two brotherly countries and the Embassy's unwavering commitment to overcoming any obstacles that Saudi citizens may encounter while in Egypt.

The embassy concluded its statement by affirming its continued commitment to monitoring the affairs of citizens and providing urgent support in emergency situations, wishing the citizen a speedy recovery and complete health and well-being.