The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued its daily weather report for today (Friday), indicating that the Kingdom's atmosphere will be affected by a state of atmospheric instability encompassing large areas of the country. The center predicted thunderstorms ranging from moderate to heavy, which may lead to flash floods in valleys and ravines, accompanied by hail and strong winds that will stir up dust and sand.

The detailed report indicated that rainfall would be concentrated primarily in parts of Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail regions, in addition to the Northern Borders and Eastern Province. The center warned that surface winds associated with these thunderstorms could cause a significant reduction in horizontal visibility, sometimes to near-zero visibility in open areas and on highways, necessitating caution from drivers.

In a related context, the center indicated that the rain area will extend to parts of Al-Jawf, Tabuk, Asir, and Jazan regions, where light rainfall is expected. These forecasts are part of the weather fluctuations the Kingdom experiences during seasonal transitions, as the region is affected by low-pressure systems that contribute to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds and rain.

These warnings are of paramount importance given the diverse geography of the affected areas, which include densely populated regions such as the capital, Riyadh, and Mecca, as well as agricultural and desert regions. Such weather alerts are typically accompanied by calls from the General Directorate of Civil Defense urging citizens and residents to stay away from floodplains and wadis, to avoid crossing wadis while they are flowing, and to adhere to safety instructions disseminated through official media outlets.

This report reflects the ongoing efforts of the National Center of Meteorology to monitor and track weather phenomena using the latest technologies and satellites, with the aim of providing accurate information that contributes to protecting lives and property, and helps the concerned authorities to take the necessary measures to deal with heavy rainfall and its potential impacts on infrastructure and traffic.

The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center announced the implementation of regulations governing licensing and permitting procedures for infrastructure projects in the region. This step serves as a regulatory document and a fundamental legal framework aimed at organizing the sector, enhancing implementation efficiency, and ensuring compliance with approved technical and procedural requirements, in line with the urban development witnessed by the capital.

A regulatory framework to keep pace with the growth of Riyadh

These new regulations come at a time when the Riyadh region is experiencing unprecedented development, requiring precise regulatory frameworks to ensure the quality of work and minimize visual pollution or traffic disruptions caused by excavations and infrastructure projects. These regulations are an integral part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives, which aim to improve the quality of life in cities by developing infrastructure according to the highest international standards and ensuring the sustainability of infrastructure projects.

Scope of application and target groups

The center clarified that the new regulations apply to all entities operating in this vital sector, and the list includes:

• Project owners.
• Supervising authorities.
• The contractors who carry out the work.
• Consulting firms.
• Quality laboratories.

The regulatory framework precisely defined the requirements for obtaining licenses and permits, classifying them into 10 detailed types of licenses (planned and unplanned), in addition to 5 types of permits for various businesses, with the aim of governing the relationship between the concerned parties and raising compliance rates.

Strict requirements for issuance and renewal

To ensure quality, the center established strict licensing requirements, including the submission of a comprehensive implementation plan, an approved traffic management plan, the appointment of a licensed consulting firm and quality control laboratory, and photographic documentation of the work site. The regulations also emphasized the necessity of the project being included in the approved detailed master plan and the payment of inspection fees.

Regarding renewal, the regulations stipulated the possibility of renewal after fulfilling the requirements, with double fees imposed in case of delay, and setting maximum renewal periods not exceeding half the original license period, to ensure the speed of project completion and prevent disruption.

"Usul" program and digital transformation

The implementation of these controls is directly linked to the "Usul" program launched by the center, a comprehensive transformation program encompassing a range of technical and regulatory initiatives. The program aims to automate procedures and enhance operational efficiency, making it easier for investors and contractors to obtain licenses and monitor workflow, and achieving integration among the various service providers in the capital.

Suspension and compensation mechanisms

In order to preserve the rights of all parties, the regulations have organized cases of license suspension (in whole or in part) for reasons related to the public interest or spatial coordination, with the owner obligating the licensee to compensate the licensee for the suspension period, unless the reason is due to the licensee's breach of his obligations, which enhances the investment environment in the contracting and infrastructure sector.