RIYADH: A fleet of 177 ambulances has been deployed during the Haj season in Makkah, Madinah, Arafat, Muzdaliafah and Mina, a senior official from the Ministry of Health said here Wednesday.
“The fleet of ambulances includes 120 mini-ambulances and 57 large vehicles that will be used to ferry sick Hajis from the medical clinics to hospitals at the holy sites,” the official said, adding that the fleet includes 30 mini-ambulances that were introduced last year.
“We have deployed mini-ambulances so that the vehicles could make their way even through large crowds of pilgrims who will be using the roads and alleys,” the official said, adding that the Saudi Red Crescent will also detail air ambulances to transport patients in emergency situations in cooperation with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
“The services will be intensified during the pilgrims’ stay in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah,” he said.
To offer comprehensive services to the pilgrims, he said the mobile unit will move with the pilgrims during the final phase of the Haj from Arafat to Muzdalifah and then finally to Mina during the time when pilgrims perform their various Haj rituals.
The entire fleet of ambulance is fully equipped with all the modern facilities to carry ICU patients on board. “Even the medics and paramedics who will be in the ambulances are trained and competent to handle all types of patients in emergency situations,” he said.
In cooperation with the Civil Defense, the Ministry of Health has also drawn up an emergency plan for evacuation, accidents and disaster response.
Helipads have been arranged at five hospitals to receive patients who need emergency treatment during the season.
The hospitals are King Abdullah Medical City, Al-Noor General Hospital, Mina Al-Tawaari (Emergency) Hospital in Mina, Arafat General Hospital and Hira Hospital.
The ambulances and the cars used by the medics have undergone maintenance tests to ensure that they are in good condition.
177 ambulances deployed to serve Haj pilgrims
177 ambulances deployed to serve Haj pilgrims
Saudi meteorology center warns of heavy rain across Kingdom, public told to avoid flood-prone areas
- Stay away from valleys and waterways at least until Thursday, Civil Defense cautions
- National Center for Meteorology center warns of possible thunderstorms and dust storms
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned of thunderstorms across the Kingdom that could lead to flash floods, and officials cautioned the public against venturing in low-lying places prone to flooding.
In its weather forecast for Sunday, the meteorology center said “moderate to heavy thunderstorms are expected, leading to flash floods, accompanied by hail showers and active winds that will stir up dust and sand” in several provinces of the Kingdom.
These include Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah, Al-Baha, Asir, Jazan and parts of the Eastern Province. Light to moderate storms are expected in parts of the Northern Borders, Al-Jouf and Tabuk, the NCM said.
In a separate advisory, the General Directorate of Civil Defense urged the public to avoid places prone to flash floods and valleys at least until December 18.
Since the past few days, various parts of Saudi Arabia had been blessed with light to moderate rain as full winter weather set in.
In separate reports, the Saudi Press Agency published images of beautiful landscapes that have emerged after being revitalized by rain.
Deserts rejuvenated
Among these are Al-Nafud (The Great Nafud Desert) in the Kingdom’s north, where moderate to heavy rainfall have “transformed the landscape, turning the golden sand dunes into stunning formations,” and also created streams and lakes.
“The cool weather has since made the Nafud a prime destination for desert and camping enthusiasts from inside and outside (Rafha) governorate,” SPA said.
Rain have also rejuvenated the Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve, the Kingdom’s second-largest nature reserve, spanning parts of the Northern Borders, Hail, Qassim, Al-Jouf and Eastern Province.
In the Northern Borders province, the Wadi Arar has come alive, refilling the province’s 11 operational dams.
“The deserts of Arar City ... have become an enchanting destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts following recent rainfall. The resulting rainfalls have created a stunning scenery, with flowing streams winding through sand dunes and ravines,” SPA said.
Cool, verdant mountains
In Asir and adjacent provinces in the southwest, fog shrouding mountain peaks and the city of Abha have resulted in beautiful winter sceneries, attracting nature lovers and photography enthusiasts.
Futher south in Najran province, days of rain have increased vegetation cover and revitalized the valley’s natural streams.
One of the foremost attractions is the Wadi Mughaydid on the slopes of the Sarawat range’s Maghra Mountains in northwest Najran, renowned for its pristine natural beauty.
Stretching 25 kilometers from Bir Askar Park to Shaab Baran, the valley’s unique geography combines verdant plains with towering mountains, making it an ideal destination for hiking and nature enthusiasts, according to SPA.
