Pics: Sebastiao Valadares, Iraq
Daijiworld Media Network
UAE, Mar 28 (Emirates 24/7) : The fallout of the massive Kuwait sandstorm on Friday evening will continue to affect the UAE, keeping visibility down to 1,000 metres.
Though a huge sand cloud hung over the UAE yesterday with strong winds keeping people indoors, the country by and large was not affected.
According to the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology and Seismology, the weather condition will continue to remain dusty the next two days.
“Temperatures will drop by a few degrees today and will continue to drop during the next two days. Off shore the wind is blowing at about 13 knots and on land at around 15 to 20 knots. The sea will continue to remain rough, especially in the evenings between 6pm to 8pm,” a department spokesperson told this website.
Earlier story:
The condition started on Friday in South Iraq and North West Kuwait which witnessed low pressure combined with strong winds at 80kmph.
"In view of bad weather conditions, dense dusty storm, and strong winds blowing in the country, all incoming flights were transferred to nearby airports while all outgoing flights were halted until weather conditions improve," Isam Al Zamil, the head of operations at the airport, said, quoted by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
Earlier, the authorities warned that the dust storm reduced visibility to less than 500 metres and that in some areas, "there is no visibility at all."
According to unconfirmed reports hundreds of people were stuck in malls as dust and sand prevented people from driving.
The condition is due to a dusty storm kicking up northwestern wind at a speed of more than 50 kilometres per hour, KUNA said.
Jameela Mohammed, a 55-year-old Kuwaiti woman living in Salwa area said that the sand storm started in the late afternoon.
"Fortunately it started when we were at home. One cannot go outside . I asked all my sons to stay indoors. The weather is too bad. You can't see anything outside. The dust has reached inside the house. I don't know how. We closed all the doors and windows but the strong winds managed to get inside with dust. We are covering our faces with wet towels to prevent breathing the dust. I am worried for my grandson because he has asthma and he is at risk. We hope it pass by quickly. We are too scared."