MAKKAH: More than 13,000 personnel, 3,000 vehicles and eight helicopters will be working in Makkah and the holy sites during Haj, said Gen. Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Amro, commander of the Civil Defense’s Haj force.

A comprehensive Civil Defense plan will be implemented in collaboration with other concerned government departments, said Al-Amro, adding that the plan has been formulated and approved by Interior Minister Prince Naif, chairman of the Civil Defense Council.

“We have carried out a number of mock drills to improve the performance levels of our officers,” he said, adding that the Civil Defense is fully prepared to deal with all emergencies.

Al-Amro said plans have been formulated to face problems due to rains and flooding in the holy sites. “The plans specify risks and identify areas that might be vulnerable in the event of heavy rains and flooding,” he added.

Al-Amro said the weather is being monitored around the clock. “There is a committee composed of the Civil Defense and other concerned government departments to study the hazards of rains and floods all year round,” he said, adding that the committee is also following up on floodwater drainage.

Al-Amro said the Civil Defense has left no stone unturned in raising awareness about the dangers of rains and floods. He added that the Ministry of Haj is playing an important role in spreading awareness among foreign pilgrims before they arrive in the Kingdom.

Commenting on falling rocks in Mina, he said a geological team was working with the Civil Defense to identify locations where rocks might fall.

He further warned against the use of gas stoves during Haj and said anyone caught using such equipment would be fined.

Speaking about high-rise buildings near the Grand Mosque, which are not accessible using ladders, he said the owners of these buildings have been asked to take extra safety measures and to keep additional fire extinguishers as a first line of defense until the Civil Defense manages to reach the location.

“The Civil Defense has provided equipment capable of operating in mountainous and narrow areas as well as in high buildings,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Passport Department said it would appoint 28 women inspectors at checkpoints on roads leading to Makkah during the Haj season.

“The women recruits are university graduates with experience in working for the Passport Department. Women inspectors can play a significant role in identifying pilgrims without permits, particularly those who try to cheat officials by disguising themselves as women. They can also help detect women traveling on fake documents,” said Col. Abdullah Al-Harithy, media supervisor at the Passport Department’s Haj section.

“The women will be issued with special identity cards,” he said, adding that the centers are equipped with machines to help detect forged documents.

Al-Harithy appealed to citizens and expatriates to carry identity documents and Haj permits when traveling to Makkah. Anyone found without proper documents would be penalized, he added.