A massive dust storm swept through Dubai and several other emirates in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, greatly reducing visibility and raising urgent safety warnings from officials. The UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued an alert, warning that visibility could drop to under 2,000 meters in affected zones, including major airports like Al Maktoum and Ras Al Khaimah.
Driven by powerful winds, the storm began in the early hours of the morning and is forecast to last from 8am to 5pm local time. Authorities have urged motorists to slow down, use headlights, and exercise extreme caution on the roads. Residents were also advised to remain indoors where possible, especially individuals with respiratory problems issues like asthma, difficulty in breathing and so on.
Dust storms are a familiar situation in the UAE during the summer, caused when dry weather and strong gusts can carry sand and dust across various locations. The NCM is closely monitoring the storm’s progress, while emergency services remain on standby to handle any weather related emergencies.
