Saudi Civil Defense issued a series of potential-danger alerts through the National Early Warning Platform and later lifted them once the risks had passed. The alerts reached mobile phones connected to local telecommunications networks via cell-broadcast messages and covered several areas, including Riyadh, Al-Kharj, Jeddah, Mecca, Taif, Yanbu, AlUla, Jazan, Farasan, Abha, and Khamis Mushait.
Each alert carries a distinctive tone along with clear safety instructions. A "potential danger" alert asks the public to remain calm, move indoors to a safe place, and stay away from windows, balconies, rooftops, open areas, bridges, and high-rise buildings while following official guidance.
Drivers are advised to stop away from bridges and tall structures, while anyone outdoors should enter the nearest building or shelter behind a solid barrier. When conditions improve, Civil Defense issues an all-clear confirming the danger has passed.
How the system works
The National Early Warning Platform does not require any registration through Absher, Muqeem, Nafath, Tawakkalna, or any other government account, and the service carries no fee, application cost, or fixed validity period. Alerts arrive automatically to phones on Saudi networks.
Weather warnings follow a color code: yellow indicates possible weather impact, orange signals an active weather phenomenon requiring caution, and red marks severe weather or floods that demand full caution and compliance with Civil Defense instructions.
Residents are encouraged to rely only on official channels for updates, including the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the National Early Warning Platform, and the National Center for Meteorology. The emergency number remains 998 for reporting incidents and requesting assistance.
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