Rains and sandstorms lash UAE

Dubai: A heavy sandstorm hit the UAE on Tuesday afternoon, causing visibility to plunge to as little as 50 metres.

Driving conditions became hazardous when the wall of sand struck Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi and other parts of the country from about 3pm onwards.

Pedestrians struggled to cope with the harsh conditions when sand began blowing into their faces and eyes.

Forecasters said the storm was just the latest offbeat weather event after weeks of meteorological instability in the eastern parts of the UAE.

Winds blowing from the south east to the north west gusted at up to 40 knots, churning up sand and dust. The weather system that caused the winds was moving across the UAE from east to west.

The lowest visibility of 50 metres was recorded at the meteorological station at Minhad Military Airport between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dr S.K. Gupta, duty forecaster at Dubai International Airport, said: "The storm was caused by winds coming down from thundery clouds a downdraft.

"It was quite a severe one because the winds were reaching high levels. Everybody was reporting 35 to 40 knots. Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah were all affected.

"This year, August and first week of September have been full of activity [in the eastern areas] we've never had this type of thing day after day before."

Gupta said there were daily reports of heavy cloud in eastern mountainous parts of the UAE, and on Tuesday those conditions reached the west coast.

Drivers said they were shocked by the speed with which the sandstorm descended and cut visibility.

Ammar Rashid, 37, a Pakistani, was one of many who saw conditions change suddenly when the storm reached Dubai.

"Everyone was really slowing down. We couldn't see the signboards it was really extreme and I was glad when I reached my destination as I didn't feel safe," he said.

As well as the sandstorms there were also unsettled conditions on the east coast, with meteorologists at Fujairah reporting thunderstorms.

The storms were accompanied by heavy rains, causing heavy water flow through wadis and farmland.