Extreme Weather Compounded by Ecological Vulnerabilities

Jubail in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province suffered severe flooding triggered by torrential rains, which submerged its streets and transformed roadways into rivers. This flooding resulted from the convergence of extreme weather and the desert’s ecological vulnerability. Sparse desert vegetation and poor soil water retention caused rainwater to pool rapidly. The floodwaters carried sediment and potential industrial pollutants, posing environmental contamination risks. Simultaneously, it exposed shortcomings in local ecological infrastructure—including drainage and flood prevention systems—highlighting the urgency of ecological protection in arid regions amid climate warming.