Sandstorms have resulted in hospitalizations, school closures and air traffic disruptions in many Middle Eastern countries today.
Today, a sandstorm engulfed the Saudi capital and other areas, obstructing visibility and disrupting traffic on the streets.
A dense fog caused the skyscrapers of Riyadh to be covered. On the other hand, no delays or flight cancellation announcements were made at Saudi airports.
Similar conditions were seen in other Gulf countries such as Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
This phenomenon is not uncommon in a region known for its deserts, but its frequency has increased in recent months due to climate change-induced drought and low precipitation.
According to the official press agency, the Saudi meteorological center predicted “dusty surface winds” in the east and “reducing horizontal visibility” in Riyadh.
More storms are also expected in the west, in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, according to forecasts.
Electronic signs on Riyadh’s highways warn drivers to slow down due to poor visibility.
Sand piled up on cars and buildings in central Riyadh, and residents struggled to keep the sand out of their homes.
Eight sandstorms have been recorded in neighboring Iraq since mid-April.
Most recently on Monday, it led to the hospitalization of nearly 4,000 people for respiratory problems and the closure of the airport as well as schools and public administration offices across the country.
According to state media, government buildings, schools and universities in several provinces in Iran were closed on Tuesday due to the sandstorm.
Air traffic in Kuwait was suspended for an hour and a half on Monday, and maritime traffic at three ports was suspended this afternoon. The Ministry of Education announced that schools will reopen on Wednesday.
worsening of the phenomenon
The frequency of storms has increased in the region in recent months. Out-of-season dry and cold air masses contributed to the proliferation of sandstorms in eastern Syria and Iraq “and their subsequent displacement to the Arabian peninsula”, center Hassan Abdallah told AFP at the WASM weather station in Jordan.
He added that storms tend to weaken once they reach Saudi Arabia.
The worsening of the situation is explained by various factors such as the low water level of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, annual precipitation fluctuations and soil erosion.
Hassan Abdallah said that to solve the problem, countries in the region need to plant more trees and “take urgent measures against the low level of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers”.
“Sandstorms are part of our culture, we’re used to them, but some are severe,” said Saudi worker Abdullah Al-Otaibi, who walked into his office rubbing his eyes.
source: Noticias
