Eastern Province ramps up rain season readiness with major operational plan

The Eastern Province Municipality has raised its operational readiness for the 1448H rain season with a comprehensive plan focused on preventive preparedness, field response, and recovery in Dammam. The plan is supported by more than 4,000 personnel, around 570 vehicles and machines, and an integrated rainwater drainage system that includes over 50 stations, networks extending nearly 2.7 million meters, more than 70,000 traps, 30,000 manholes, and 304 fixed and mobile pumping and suction units, all aimed at enhancing the efficiency of rain event management.

The municipality stated that these preparations are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen preventive and operational readiness and to ensure early response to rainfall. This includes intensifying preventive maintenance, checking the efficiency of drainage networks, pumps, and equipment, boosting the readiness of field teams, and allocating operational resources based on site priorities and needs.

The municipality has also adopted a mobile command vehicle as a key tool for monitoring and managing rain events. The vehicle is equipped with advanced screens to monitor streets, roads, and squares through a network of cameras, supporting real-time field updates and enabling swift decision-making and action as conditions evolve.

It noted that the operational plan for the 1448H rain and flood season is based on three main tracks: advance preparation, response during rainfall, and post-event recovery. This integrated approach is designed to maximize field response efficiency and restore services and infrastructure as quickly as possible.

The municipality urged citizens and residents to follow safety guidelines during rainfall, avoid tunnels, low-lying areas, and water accumulation sites, adhere to detours and alternative routes, and monitor official channels for updates and instructions during rain events. It also encouraged the public to report water accumulations and municipal issues via the 940 emergency call center to help quickly identify affected areas and dispatch field teams for prompt action.