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Pictures: Heavy sandstorm hits Gulf and Middle East

Experts say phenomenon could worsen as climate change warps regional weather patterns

Last updated: May 18, 2022 | 19:07

Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

2 MIN READ

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A commuter waits to cross amid a heavy sandstorm in Kuwait City.

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Cars drive amid a heavy sandstorm in Kuwait City.

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A street with traffic is pictured during a sandstorm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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The Kingdom Centre skyscraper in the centre of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh during a heavy dust storm.

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Cars drive on a main highway during a dust storm in the Bahraini capital Manama.

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Cars drive on a highway in the Seef district during a dust storm in Bahrain's capital Manama.

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A city street is pictured during a sandstorm in Manama, Bahrain.

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A man walks along a pedestrian bridge along the Euphrates river in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar amidst a heavy dust storm.

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A man walks along a pedestrian bridge along the Euphrates river in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province amidst a heavy dust storm.

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A man walks through a sand storm in Baghdad, Iraq.

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Another sandstorm that descended on Iraq sent at least 2,000 people to hospital with breathing problems and led to the closure of airports, schools and public offices across the country.

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People cross a bridge during a sandstorm in Baghdad, Iraq.

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A fisherman paddles his boat during a sandstorm in Iraq's southern city of Basra.

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Cars drive through a sand storm in Baghdad, Iraq.

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A view of the Tigris river bank in Iraq's capital Baghdad amidst a heavy dust storm.

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People pose for photos along the waterfront in Qatar's capital Doha during a heavy dust storm.

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Qatar's Museum of Islamic Art and the dhow harbour in the capital Doha obscured by haze during a heavy dust storm.

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A view of the haze obscuring the skyline of Qatar's capital Doha during a heavy dust storm.

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A sandstorm engulfs buildings in the north of Iran's capital Tehran.

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A sandstorm engulfs a mosque in Iran's capital Tehran.

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