Saudi Arabia is one of the driest countries in the world and has no permanent rivers due to its desert climate and extremely low rainfall, which averages less than 100 millimetres annually. High temperatures cause most rainwater to evaporate quickly or be absorbed into the ground, preventing rivers from forming. Instead, the country has seasonal water channels known as wadis, which briefly fill during heavy rain but dry up soon after, sometimes causing flash floods.

To meet the needs of its growing population, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on desalination, a process that removes salt from seawater, making the country one of the largest producers of desalinated water globally. It also draws water from underground aquifers that have accumulated over thousands of years, though these reserves must be managed carefully to avoid depletion.

Water scarcity has significantly limited agriculture, requiring efficient irrigation systems and restricting the cultivation of water-intensive crops. The government is investing in sustainable technologies to address environmental concerns linked to groundwater depletion and the high energy demands of desalination, highlighting both the challenges and innovations involved in surviving without natural rivers.