UAE | General
People stay indoors as sandstorms hit UAE
Gusty winds yesterday blew up sand and dust in most parts of the country, forcing people to stay indoors and motorists to be extra cautious on highways.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 March 16, 2007
- Image Credit: Devadasan/Gulf News
- A man covering his face to protect himself from a sandstorm during the early hours of yesterday near Shaikh Zayed Road in Dubai.
Al Ain: Gusty winds yesterday blew up sand and dust in most parts of the country, forcing people to stay indoors and motorists to be extra cautious on highways.
In some areas, including Al Ain and Dubai, wind speeds reached up to 30 knots at times but remained 20 to 26 knots in other areas in general. Dust and flying sand reduced visibility to considerable levels.
A weatherman said the winds were caused by a low atmospheric pressure that pumped hot south-easterly winds from the Empty Quarter, a desert bordering Saudi Arabia and the UAE, into the country.
Conditions were yesterday hot and hazy in general in different parts of the UAE.
Increased temperatures
"Wind was strong in open areas and that also increased temperatures significantly above the mean values," he added.
Regarding the weather forecast for the next 48 hours, he said conditions would remain hot, partly cloudy and hazy. South-easterly winds would continue to blow dust and sand. The direction of wind is expected to change this evening.
The weatherman said strong Shamal winds, also blowing dust and sand, would gradually decrease temperatures to significant levels.
"This will result in partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with a chance of scattered rain tonight and tomorrow morning."
Conditions could develop into thunderstorms in some areas, he said, adding the sea would also become rough with six to nine feet high waves.
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Last chance for subscribers to win big
- Gang charged with robbery using air-freshener
- it was just a ‘vampire' game, driver tells court
- Educating fussy Emirati jobseekers
- Abu Dhabi Police rescue victims of car crash
- Sharjah festival to enlighten heritage lovers
- 9 injured as paraglider crashes into stadium
- Bridges needed
- Reimbursement of ID card fines to start in March
- Dubai Police solve murder mystery
- Restaurateur found dead in Abu Dhabi flat
- Police honour residents who reported crime
- Compensation to vary for fire victims
- Move to promote Abu Dhabi tourism
- RTA: 0.25m YouTube, Facebook, Twitter followers
Community Reports
-
Bridges needed
Al Ittihad Road has no pedestrian facilities as one nears Sharjah
-
Street lights needed
Authorities urged to act with haste before a major accident occurs in Al Nahda, Dubai
-
Motorists ignore stop sign on buses
Overtaking school vehicles can put students' lives at risk
-
Safety regulations flouted at Dubai work place
In Al Nahda 2, two workers were seen working on the crane boom at a height of 20m without a full body harness or safety net in violation of rules
