Saudi capital shrouded in dust as sandstorms strike region
4,000 in Iraq treated in hospital for breathing difficulties •Iran closes schools and government offices
Cars and buildings in Riyadh were shrouded in dust on Tuesday as sandstorms across the Middle East delayed flights, closed schools and forced thousands of people to seek hospital treatment.
Electronic signs along the Saudi capital’s highways warned drivers to reduce speed because of low visibility. Landmark buildings such as Faisaliyah Tower, Kingdom Center, and other skyscrapers in the King Abdullah Financial District were almost impossible to see from only a few hundred meters away.
Abdul Qadeer, a Bangladeshi conIn struction worker, told Arab News: “The heavy sandstorm that started late last night and engulfed the city and its outskirts in gray haze this morning has made it really tough for us to continue working outdoors due to widespread dust.”
Forecasters at the National Center of Meteorology said dusty winds causing reduced visibility would continue in some parts of Qassim, Hail, Madinah, Makkah and Najran, extending to eastern parts of Baha and Asir.
In Iraq, where a sandstorm enveloped Baghdad in an orange glow, at least 4,000 people went to hospital with breathing problems, and airports, schools and public offices were closed.
Iran also closed government offices and schools on Tuesday because of “unhealthy weather” conditions and sandstorms. Average concentration of hazardous particles in the air in Tehran was more than six times the World Health Organization’s recommended maximum.
Kuwait, airport operations were suspended for an hour and a half because of a dust storm, and marine traffic at all three ports remained suspended on Tuesday afternoon. School classes were canceled but will resume on Wednesday.