A HEAVY dust storm has hit Bahrain today, reducing visibility and making breathing outside a challenge.
The Meteorological Directorate at the Transportation and Telecommunications Ministry issued the alert as much of the region has been blanketed in intense sandstorms.
In Baghdad and southern Iraqi cities, a red haze of dust and sand reduced visibility to just a few hundred feet, forcing authorities to close some state schools and offices and halted flights at Baghdad International Airport.
Seven people died after a heavy dust storm hit Syria’s eastern Deir Al Zor province, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor reported.
Kuwait Ports Authority suspended all maritime operations at its three ports due to bad weather, the state news agency Kuna reported. Some parts of Saudi Arabia have also been hit by the sandstorm.
The Meteorological Directorate urged residents to postpone outdoor activities.
The Coastguard and traffic authorities have issued alerts for seafarers and roads users to remain vigilant. The Civil Defence also warned citizens and residents to take care of objects being installed on buildings that could fly or fall.
“Northerly winds are expected to hit Bahrain tomorrow, which will reduce visibility,” read a statement from the ministry yesterday. “This will cause rough seas, dust haze, and rising sand.”
Wind speed is expected to range from 15kt and 20kt and reaching 22 to 27kt at times.
&uuid=(email))