Several Gulf countries have put an end to the weather depression termed "Al-Mateer," which has been an extraordinary event in the region's climatic history, not witnessed in nearly half a century, resulting in significant human and material losses in recent days. While Oman, the UAE, and Bahrain announced the subsidence of weather conditions and the conclusion of the atmospheric depression, these nations began assessing damage to infrastructure and public and private facilities, providing necessary support to all affected.
Climate experts emphasize that the rise in temperatures due to human-induced climate change leads to more extreme weather phenomena worldwide, such as the storms and floods that recently hit the UAE and Oman, causing substantial damage. Scientists predict that climate change will result in higher temperatures, increased humidity, and a higher risk of flooding in certain areas of the Gulf, which could exacerbate issues in countries lacking adequate sewage infrastructure to handle heavy rains.
In this regard, the Regional Center for Climate Change in Saudi Arabia announced the initiation of a comprehensive climatic study of the weather depression impacting Gulf Cooperation Council countries, its causes, and the rates of extreme rainfall resulting from it. The center stated that it would also examine the role of climate change in coordination with the affected nations.
According to the "Asharq Al-Awsat" newspaper, the center, part of the Saudi National Meteorology Center, is addressing the growing challenges facing the Arabian Peninsula in terms of climate change and contributing to the development of information to provide climatic studies at national, regional, and global levels.
Hussain Al-Qahtani, the official spokesperson, noted that the recent rainfall witnessed in several Saudi and Gulf cities was above average, necessitating further research to study this condition. He indicated that the center has recorded several indicators suggesting clear climatic changes in the region.
Expected "More Intense" Weather Phenomena
Al-Qahtani confirmed that indicators of climate change have been evident in several Saudi cities, such as Namas, which this year experienced higher-than-average hailfalls, as well as cities like Taif, Buraidah, and Khamees Mushait that faced similar conditions last year. He mentioned the recent announcement that the Jizan region is nearing a tropical climate due to experiencing continuous rainfall throughout the year, stating, "This condition has not been recorded before in the region, indicating the effect of climate change on it."
Additionally, he affirmed that all climatic studies presented by the National Meteorology Center indicate that Saudi Arabia will witness more severe weather phenomena in the coming years.
