Dubai: A heavy sandstorm was faced by Kuwait on Monday; because of the sandstorm, the visibility level was very low to the barest minimum, and the sky was entirely orange-red as the dust blanketed the entire country, local media reported.
The Ministry of Interior has encouraged the public to take necessary caution due to the change in weather and the wave of dust that the country is right now experiencing.
The Ministry of Interior also released one press release; Ministry called the General Administration of Relations and Security Media and stated that ‘not to hesitate to contact the emergency hotline 112 when someone needs security or traffic assistance.’
Moreover, Kuwait’s Ministry of Education also declared that schools will be closed today (Tuesday) for students because of the dust storm and the accumulation of dust, especially in the open areas of schools. Teaching in schools will start on Wednesday.
Airports
Not only schools are closed, but also flights from Kuwait International airport were also temporarily closed on Monday due to the storm that reduced the visibility throughout Kuwait.
According to ‘Imad Al Jalawi, Deputy Director General for Air Navigation Services at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, flights have been affected by weather conditions.
Ministry of Aviation first review the flight’s schedule, and regular aviation will start once visibility has been improved.
According to Al Jalawi, Kuwait is currently affected by low visibility along with strong winds reaching more than 50 km/h.
Saudi Arabia has also become the latest country blanketed with dust that slowed traffic and made iconic towers in the capital challenging to see from more than a few hundred metres (yards) away.
Riyadh’s highways warned drivers to reduce their speed of vehicles because of the lower visibility.
On Monday, the country’s latest sandstorm enveloped Baghdad’s capital in an orange glow, sending at least 4,000 people to the hospital with breathing problems. It led to the closure of airports, schools, and public offices across the country.