UAE | Environment
Dust envelops UAE, reducing visibility and triggering breathing problems
A layer of fine dust has enveloped the emirates and parts of the Arabian Gulf, reducing visibility and creating problem for people with breathing difficulty.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 14:25 June 18, 2008
- Dust engulfed most parts of the Gulf, including Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia.
- Image Credit: Ravindranath/Gulf News
Al Ain: A layer of fine dust has enveloped the emirates and parts of the Arabian Gulf, reducing visibility and creating problem for people with breathing difficulty.
The condition may last for two more days, said weathermen.
The dust has been coming from Iraq and the eastern Saudi Arabian deserts. Sand and dust storms in Iraq have laden the winds with dust that is now pushing across the Gulf.
Dust engulfed most parts of the Gulf, including Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia.
"This is just the dust and not the industrial or any other kind of pollution," said Dr S.K. Gupta, a weatherman at Dubai International Airport's Met Office. "You may call it a natural dust pollution of which human beings are not responsible," he said.
Dr Gupta said the situation would take at least 48 hours to clear up. "This dust is coming in patches with occasional improvement in the visibility," he said, adding that there will be no problem for air traffic.
The visibility on Wednesday reduced to 1,500 meters in Dubai and Sharjah and 2,000 to 2,500 in Abu Dhabi. Fujairah and Al Ain have also been facing similar problems, he said.
He also warned people driving late in the night and early in the morning: dust and humidity could create smog. "Drivers must be careful at that time."
The wind speed is slow, which is helping dust particles to remain in air for a longer period. "We are expecting south-easterly winds in a couple of days that will help to clear up the dust,'' he said.
A weatherman at the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) said weather is expected to get hotter with the south-easterly winds. "People have enjoyed cool conditions over the last few weeks but that is ending from Wednesday," he said.
The usual June condition will sweep through the emirates, pushing the mercury up to 45 degree Celsius. "We are expecting a gradual increase in temperatures in the next 48 hours, with chances of some low clouds near the mountains and eastern parts of the country in the afternoon," said the NCMS weatherman.
Humidity is also expected to increase in the evening and night, creating uneasiness for the people living in coastal areas. Winds would be light to moderate in general.
The hottest city on Wednesday was Ras Al Khaimah with maximum temperature climbing as high as 44 degree Celsius, followed by Al Ain with 43 degree Celsius.
The maximum high temperature was also into 40 degree Celsius in other cities, except Fujairah where it was 37 degree Celsius.
Dos and Don'ts
Doctors are warning residents, especially children, the elderly and those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, to take precautions during dusty weather.
Precautions include
- Remain indoors
- Keep doors and windows closed
- Keep medications, such as antihistamines and inhalers, close at hand
- If really concerned, wear a face mask to limit exposure to dust particles while venturing outdoors
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