Saudi Arabia has found a smart way to help people who get lost in the desert. They are using solar-powered laser lights to show travelers where they can find water. These green laser beacons are placed near wells and water tanks, and at night, they shine brightly in the sky so that lost people can see them from far away.
This life-saving project was created by Mohammad Fohaid Al-Sohaiman Al-Rammali. He is an explorer and an environmental activist. During his desert trips and rescue missions, he noticed something very sad. Many people who died in the desert were actually close to water sources. They just didn’t know it.
“Many people lost their lives in the desert near water resources because they didn’t know there were water resources near them,” he told Arab News.
That heartbreaking truth gave him the idea to use technology simply—to help people survive. He designed a system of laser beacons that point toward water. These towers work without the internet or mobile signals.
They are powered by the sun, so they charge during the day and shine at night. They are also built to survive tough weather in the desert and need very little care or repair.
These green laser beams are easy to see in the dark. Even if someone is far away, the light helps them know which direction to go. The towers are placed next to real water sources, so if someone follows the light, they will reach a well or a water tank. This could be the difference between life and death in the hot desert.
11 of these laser beacons were working in the Nafud Desert at that time. This desert is in northern Saudi Arabia and is very large—over 64,000 square kilometres.
It is dry, hot, and very hard to travel through. Many people have gotten lost there over the years, and sadly, many have died. That’s why this project is so important. Plans were made to install 100 more laser towers in the area between Hail and Jouf. These places are also known for being dry and difficult to cross.
The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Water was also part of the project. They are helping to manage the system and make it better. Dr Abdulaziz Alshaibani, Deputy Minister for Water, said they are fully supporting the effort.
“All water resources have been marked to coordinate water distribution. We have drilled wells in the area based on scientific studies,” he said.
He also explained that each laser beacon site will be monitored. Every location will have someone working there, along with a guard. There will also be regular check-ups to make sure everything is working properly.
This project shows how clean energy and simple technology can come together to solve a serious problem. These laser lights don’t just save energy—they save lives. In places where mobile phones and GPS devices might not work, these solar-powered towers are always ready to help.
Many people say that the idea sounds like something from a science fiction movie. Some people have joked that it feels like a scene from Star Wars, with lasers shining in the desert sky like on the planet Tatooine. Others say it’s like the beacons in the video game Minecraft, pointing the way home.
But this is not a game or a movie. This is real life. In Saudi Arabia’s deserts, these green laser lights are bringing hope and saving lives. And the best part? It’s done with clean energy from the sun and a smart, simple design.
This project is a great example of how renewable energy can do more than protect the environment. It can also protect people. By using sunlight and laser technology, Saudi Arabia is finding new ways to keep people safe in one of the harshest places on Earth.
