JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has recorded a dramatic decline in dust and sandstorm activity this year, with officials attributing the improvement to environmental restoration efforts, expanded vegetation cover and favorable climatic conditions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The National Center for Meteorology announced that the Kingdom experienced a near-zero occurrence of dust and sandstorms in June 2026, marking the lowest level recorded in more than 25 years.
Dust activity fell by 99 percent compared with historical averages, while the Northern Borders region reported a complete absence of dust storms during the month.
According to the NCM, the Central Region, including Riyadh, Qassim and Al-Kharj, recorded a 99 percent decline in dust activity. The Eastern Province, covering Al-Ahsa, Dammam and Dhahran, registered a similar reduction.
Ayman Ghulam, CEO of the center and general supervisor of the Regional Center for Sand and Dust Storms, said the decline coincided with many environmental and climate initiatives across the Kingdom.
