Weathermen have warned of more misery to come today after strong winds wreaked havoc around the kingdom, causing dust and sand to pile up on highways.
Trees were uprooted by strong gusts in several areas yesterday while billboards in open places crumbled and fell to the ground.
The country also witnessed a cold spell with temperatures plunging to as low as 8C at midnight. At 7pm, while Bahrain’s weather application showed the temperature as 13C, the apparent temperature, or what it really felt like, was 3C.
Weathermen have warned of “very strong winds” today, with temperatures ranging from a maximum of 15C to a minimum of 8C.
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Meanwhile, emergency teams at the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry worked round the clock yesterday to clear the roads of dust.
“The operations are being overseen directly by the Minister Essam Khalaf,” the ministry said in a statement.
“In co-ordination with the two cleaning companies, the teams including inspectors and the necessary machinery will be out on the streets until the weather settles.
“Inspectors have been assigned to monitor the damages and to act immediately, especially in main roads, public gardens, walkways and other areas.
“Plans are also in place to assist citizens and residents in case of emergencies, including a hotline.”
The Capital Municipality has responded to all the reports it received, the ministry said, adding that uprooted trees were cleared in Gudaibiya, Hoora and other localities, while work was under way in other areas.
The heavy gusts followed the dust wave predicted on Thursday evening.
Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry’s meteorological department said wind speed was the highest at King Fahad Causeway.
“Heavy dust due to the northwesterly winds hit the kingdom yesterday,” said the department in a statement.
“The highest winds recorded on Friday was 41 knots at King Fahad Causeway, wind speed in other areas ranged between 30 and 31 knots,” it added.
Weathermen had forecast the winds approaching the region with a cold wave to follow.
“The rain emergency team at the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry removed a tree that fell in a compound due to strong winds,” said the Muharraq Municipality in its statement.
“Large piles of sands that accumulated on roads alongside the Shaikh Isa bridge were removed.
“The team also cleared mounds of sand from Road 65 near Diyar Al Muharraq intersection.”
Heavy winds touching 22 knots is expected to continue today, while humidity ranging from a maximum of 75pc to a minimum of 30pc is predicted.
The weather is forecast to get warmer during the week with few clouds tomorrow, and temperature ranging from 18C maximum to 10C minimum. Fishermen and seafarers have also been urged to be cautious in the cold weather.
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