Anwaa app tops the Middle East with 514 million transactions
In an unprecedented digital achievement that reflects the success of digital transformation strategies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the “Anwaa” application of the National Meteorology Center recorded historic record numbers, achieving a huge leap in usage and interaction rates in conjunction with the recent rainy weather that affected large areas of the Kingdom.
Digital leap and regional leadership
Official data revealed that the app generated over 514 million technical transactions in just one week, making it the most used weather app in the Middle East. Its dominance wasn't limited to the weather category; the app also ranked second among the most downloaded free apps across all digital stores (App Store and Google Play), indicating a significant shift in societal culture towards relying on official and trusted sources.
General context: Technology in the service of safety
This achievement comes within the framework of the Kingdom's drive to enhance its digital infrastructure as part of the Vision 2030 objectives. The National Center for Meteorology plays a pivotal role in protecting lives and property by providing accurate and real-time information. These applications are of paramount importance given the climate changes the region is experiencing, which are sometimes characterized by sudden and intense weather instability, making access to accurate information the first line of defense for citizens and residents.
Record numbers at the peak of the rainy spell
Detailed statistics show that last Tuesday marked a peak in public engagement, with the app experiencing a massive surge of over 1.5 million visits in a single day in response to the weather warnings. The total number of active weekly visits has now reached 4 million, while the past 30 days have seen over 9.2 million visits, confirming that the app has become an essential daily resource for a wide segment of society.
Operational efficiency and robust infrastructure
This immense pressure would not have been possible without the robustness of the center's digital infrastructure, which enabled the system to efficiently and seamlessly process 180 million transactions in a single day. This capacity demonstrates the center's high level of technological preparedness for handling crises and managing big data during peak times.
Instant alerts: Digital savior
The alerts and early warning feature played a crucial role in crisis management, with the app sending 6.9 million warning notifications in a single day to ensure critical information reached users before the rain intensified. The total number of proactive warnings issued last week reached 23 million, while the figure for the previous month exceeded 79 million.
Social and economic impact
This widespread engagement reflects a growing public awareness of the importance of climate information in making daily decisions, whether for safe travel or to avoid hazardous areas and flash floods. This direct reliance on official data helps to dispel climate rumors and reduce potential material and human losses, thus strengthening public safety and national security in its broadest sense.
