Can data save lives?
Yes — in fact, it does so every day.
In an age where natural disasters have become more complex, big data is the first line of defense.

In Saudi Arabia, recurring phenomena include:

• Flash floods (as seen in Jeddah and Makkah in past years)

• Earthquakes and tremors in certain regions

• Sandstorms disrupting transportation, health, and aviation

But what has changed? Data changes everything.

📡 How is prediction done?

• Analysis of satellite data

• Continuous monitoring of rain levels, wind movements, and seismic activity

• Predictive models that learn from past disasters and simulate future ones

💡 Today, early warning systems rely not just on sensors — but on artificial intelligence and real-time big data analysis.

🇸🇦 Saudi Examples:

• NEOM uses a combination of AI and data analytics to monitor earthquakes and weather risks within a smart ecosystem

• The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture launched the “Early Warning for Floods” initiative using advanced analytics

• The National Center for Meteorology integrates satellite data with high-resolution simulation models to forecast weather hazards

🔥 A practical example:
In 2023, an advanced analytics system helped prevent a potential disaster by issuing an early warning to residents of certain neighborhoods in Jeddah — 12 hours before severe flooding occurred.

🎯 The importance of this data goes beyond saving lives — it extends to:

• Reducing economic losses

• Protecting infrastructure

• Supporting emergency response plans

• Guiding rescue resources more effectively

Data doesn’t stop disasters…
But it allows us to prepare and act early — which makes the difference between safety and danger.