The Ministry of Social Affairs has instructed quick distribution of funds to charity societies to support people in the cold-affected regions, while the Directorate General of Civil Defense has urged the public to strictly follow its instructions and warnings to ensure their safety during the freezing temperatures, Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported Sunday.

In the latest press statement, the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has warned that temperatures in at least 10 cities in the northern and central regions are expected to dip below zero over the coming days. “The temperature is expected to slide to minus 4 in Arar and Turaif, minus 3 in Hail and Tabuk, and minus 2 in Hafr Al-Batin, Al-Qaisumah and the northeastern parts of the Kingdom,” the statement read.

The PME also forecast sandstorms and visibility reduced to below 2 km in these regions, as well as in regions lying between Makkah and Madinah provinces, especially the coastal cities of Madinah province.

The PME did not rule out the possibility of snowfall in the mountainous regions of the northern and central parts of the Kingdom. Three days ago, there was a presidency forecast saying that the northern and central parts of the Kingdom would be under the grip of a five-day cold spell from Friday evening to Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Minister of Social Affairs Yusuf Al-Othaimeen has issued directives to expedite procedures for the distribution of assistance to charity societies in various regions of the Kingdom. He has also instructed disbursement of special assistance to charity societies in the cold-hit regions such as Al-Jouf, Tabuk, Hail and the Northern Border Region. The ministry has allocated SR180 million for distribution among charity societies.

“Those running these societies should swing into action to distribute the assistance among the beneficiaries in the regions that are experiencing sub-zero temperatures,” the minister said.

In another development, the directorate general of Civil Defense has warned all citizens and expatriates to take utmost vigil while using heaters and other means to keep their homes warm during the freezing winter. “People should be very careful, especially while using firewood or charcoal. They should light up firewood outside their living rooms and then take live coal inside the room. Doors of rooms should be kept open to avoid the possibility of suffocation,” the directorate said in a statement.

The directorate warned against keeping heaters on while sleeping. It also urged the public to take utmost caution against leaving children to play with electric heaters while they are alone at homes.

“It is also recommended not to kindle fire inside tents, whether it is for warming up or cooking or any other purpose,” the directorate said while urging the people to visit its website to know more about safety rules and regulations issued by it.

According to the newspaper, there has been a huge demand for winter wear in most parts of the Kingdom, especially the northern and central regions. Almost all the commercial markets for winter clothes are witnessing hectic shopping activities with both citizens and foreigners flocking to buy woolen jackets, coats and sweaters.