The Saudi Geologic Survey, following activity in two regions of northwest Saudi Arabia, report that seismic activity is continuing, but appears to be slowing. Civil Defense is standing by to act if needed to evacuate villages, but so far there have been no mass evacuations, reports Arab News.

The article does show that farmers the world over seem to share a certain bull-headed attitude. The people in one village say they will resist evacuation as they’re rather stay ‘close to their assets’. They push things a bit further, though, when they also demand that the government replace their homes with earthquake-proof ones!

Civil Defense continues vigil in Al-Ais villages
Muhammad Humaidan | Arab News

JEDDAH: The residents of Al-Ais, who were forced to leave their homes to stay with relatives elsewhere after a number of mild tremors hit the area, are eagerly awaiting developments over the next few days.

Col. Zuhair Sabeeh, director of the Civil Defense in Yanbu, said the department is keeping a heavy presence in villages around Al-Ais as a precautionary measure. He, however, said there are no plans for mass evacuations at this point.

He added that a decision to permanently evacuate residents from the area would be taken by the higher authorities if they see it in their interests.

Speaking to Arab News on telephone, Col. Sabeeh said no accidents were reported since the tremors started late last month. He added that the authorities are continuously following up on the situation. No tremor above the magnitude 4 on the Richter scale was recorded in the area, he added.

“Al-Hadma, Al-Jarrafa and Al-Ameed, with an estimated population of 6,000, are the villages that are vulnerable because of their proximity to the epicenter of the tremors. The Civil Defense has deployed a team of specialized officers in the area to evaluate the condition of houses there,” Col. Sebeeh said.

Mohamed Ayieq, a resident in Al-Jarrafa, said the Civil Defense came to his house a number of times to evaluate the situation.

Residents told Arab News tremors that lasted several minutes continued in the area. They are usually accompanied by a noise that sounded like thunder.

The last tremor to hit the area was on Friday night in the village of Al-Muqaddar. It was so strong that the entire village woke up in the middle of night, residents said.
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