On Tuesday, a thick cloud of dust covered the Saudi capital, Riyadh, whose iconic Kingdom Center tower became invisible from more than a few hundred meters.
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Impressive pictures. Sandstorms caused hospitalizations, school closures and air traffic disruptions in several Middle Eastern countries in mid-May.
On Tuesday, a thick cloud of dust covered the Saudi capital, Riyadh, whose iconic Kingdom Center tower became invisible from more than a few hundred meters. More than 1,280 people have been admitted to emergency departments of hospitals and health centers in Riyadh for breathing difficulties, according to the state channel Al-Ekhbariya.
Similar conditions have been observed in other Gulf countries such as Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Iraq has also experienced eight sandstorms since mid-April. The latest on Monday led to the hospitalization of nearly 4,000 people for respiratory problems, and the closure of the airport due to “with a visibility of 300 meters”schools and public administrations throughout the country.
In Iran, administrations, schools and universities were closed on Tuesday in several provinces due to sandstorms, according to state media. In Kuwait, air traffic was suspended for an hour and a half on Monday, and maritime traffic in the three ports remained suspended on Tuesday afternoon. The Ministry of Education announced the reopening of schools on Wednesday.
The phenomenon is not uncommon in a region known for its deserts, but its frequency has increased in recent months, fueled by droughts and low rainfall linked to climate change.