The National Center for Meteorology in Saudi Arabia issued a warning of a sandstorm expected to form on Sunday, directly impacting the Qassim, Riyadh, and Eastern Province regions, with its effects extending to the Najran region in the south of the Kingdom. The center urged citizens and residents in these areas to take precautions.

Details of the expected weather conditions

The center explained in its report that the weather conditions will be characterized by a noticeable increase in surface wind activity, which will stir up large amounts of dust and sand. These conditions will contribute to a sharp decrease in horizontal visibility, posing a risk to public safety, especially on highways and in open areas. The center stressed the importance of adhering to the instructions of the relevant authorities, such as Civil Defense and Highway Patrol, and following the continuous updates of weather information through official channels.

The climatic context of sandstorms in the Kingdom

Sand and dust storms are a common weather phenomenon in Saudi Arabia, given its geography, which consists mostly of vast deserts such as the Rub' al Khali and the Nafud al Kabir. These storms are particularly active during seasonal transitions, when conditions are favorable, including strong winds and dry topsoil. While these phenomena play a role in the desert ecosystem, they also pose significant challenges to daily life and infrastructure.

Expected effects and safety guidelines

The sandstorm is expected to have multiple impacts, most notably on the health and transportation sectors. In terms of health, asthma, respiratory, and allergy sufferers are advised to avoid leaving their homes except when absolutely necessary, to keep windows tightly closed, and to wear protective masks if they must go out. Regarding transportation, air traffic at the major airports in Riyadh and Dammam may be affected, with the possibility of some flights being delayed or canceled. The risk of traffic accidents on roads also increases due to reduced visibility, requiring drivers to exercise extreme caution and reduce their speed.

Other alerts in various areas

In addition to the sandstorm warning, the National Center for Meteorology also warned of the possibility of dense fog forming during the coming hours in parts of the Makkah, Al-Jawf, Madinah, Northern Borders and Asir regions, which may also lead to a decrease in horizontal visibility in those areas and requires caution while driving in the early morning.

The National Center for Meteorology announced details of the rare weather phenomenon that occurred in Umluj Governorate, confirming that the tornado that formed northeast of the governorate was a direct result of strong downdrafts accompanying cumulonimbus clouds that brought thunderstorms and rain. The center's official spokesperson, Hussein Al-Qahtani, explained that this weather event was characterized by rapid gusts of wind that led to the formation of the violent vortex, which caused concern among residents.

What are downdrafts and how do they form tornadoes?

Downdrafts are a well-known atmospheric phenomenon that occurs within powerful thunderstorms, especially those associated with towering cumulonimbus clouds. These winds form when the air in the upper parts of the cloud cools due to raindrops or hail, becoming denser and rapidly descending towards the Earth's surface. Upon impact, these downdrafts spread powerfully in all directions, and under certain atmospheric conditions of instability and wind shear (wind shear), this complex interaction can lead to a vertical rotation, which can develop into a tornado.

The climatic context of the Umluj region and extreme phenomena

The governorate of Umluj is located on the Red Sea coast, an area affected by seasonal weather fluctuations, particularly during the transitional periods of autumn and spring. Although tornadoes are a rare phenomenon in the Arabian Peninsula, the high humidity from the Red Sea, combined with upper-level low-pressure systems, can create ideal conditions for severe thunderstorms capable of producing such extreme weather events. Experts suggest that global climate change may increase the frequency of these extreme weather events in regions not accustomed to them.

Weather warnings covered most regions of the Kingdom

Umluj was not alone in the face of the unstable weather. The National Center for Meteorology had previously issued a comprehensive report forecasting moderate to heavy thunderstorms across most of the Kingdom, warning that they could lead to flash floods. The forecast, which included hail and strong winds stirring up dust and sand, covered large parts of the Madinah, Tabuk, Qassim, Hail, Al-Jawf, Northern Borders, and Eastern Province regions, as well as the northern parts of the Riyadh region, confirming that the storm was part of a broader and more complex weather system.

The importance of awareness and adherence to official warnings

Such weather events underscore the critical importance of following reports issued by the National Center of Meteorology and adhering to the instructions of the General Directorate of Civil Defense. Early warning of these phenomena gives authorities and citizens valuable time to take necessary precautions to protect lives and property, and contributes to raising public awareness about how to deal with extreme weather events.

A new security achievement for the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) announced a significant security achievement, thwarting 965 smuggling attempts across various land, sea, and air customs ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in just one week. This success is part of the Authority's ongoing efforts to strengthen security and protect the nation's borders from all threats, underscoring the vigilance of its personnel and their ability to confront criminals.

In its official statement, ZATCA revealed that the seizures included large quantities of various dangerous substances. Specifically, 114 types of narcotics were confiscated, most notably hashish, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, in addition to quantities of Captagon pills, which pose a direct threat to the safety of society and its youth. The seizures also included 437 other prohibited substances, 1,950 units of tobacco and its derivatives, three types of weapons and related equipment, and 10 cases of smuggling undeclared cash, in clear violation of applicable financial regulations.

General context: The role of customs in achieving Vision 2030

Customs ports are the Kingdom's first line of defense against organized crime and smuggling in all its forms. The General Authority of Customs and Trade (ZATCA) plays a pivotal role in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes the security and prosperity of society. By rigorously monitoring the movement of goods and people, ZATCA not only protects society from the scourges of drugs and weapons but also supports the national economy by combating commercial fraud and tax and customs evasion. The Authority has witnessed tremendous development in recent years, investing in cutting-edge global technologies such as advanced X-ray inspection systems and employing artificial intelligence in data analysis to identify high-risk shipments. Furthermore, it has focused on training and developing its personnel to enhance performance efficiency and expedite processes.

Local and regional importance and impacts

Domestically, these seizures represent a significant blow to drug trafficking networks and contribute directly to protecting the social fabric, especially young people, from the health and psychological damage caused by these scourges. Furthermore, the seizure of weapons enhances internal security and stability and prevents crime. Economically, these operations protect the local market from counterfeit and adulterated goods and preserve state financial resources that can be redirected to support development.

At the regional and international levels, these efforts reflect the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to combating transnational organized crime. Thanks to its strategic geographic location connecting the continents of the world, Saudi Arabia's success in securing its borders is a crucial factor in disrupting the supply lines of international smuggling networks targeting the region and the world. In closing, ZATCA affirmed its commitment to further strengthening its monitoring procedures and deepening coordination and cooperation with its partners in security and military agencies to ensure the construction of an impenetrable barrier protecting the Kingdom's borders from all threats to its security and the safety of its citizens and residents.