A massive sandstorm has hit the United Arab Emirates, massively reducing visibility and causing disruption to air and road traffic in several Gulf cities.
The bad weather is caused by strong winds that have whipped up desert sand and dust, leaving the fine particles hanging in the air, reports the BBC.
Flights were disrupted at Dubai’s two busy international airports on Thursday and delays have left many passengers stranded.
In the capital, Abu Dhabi, the reduced visibility has caused a serious traffic accident with a 24-year-old being airlifted to hospital.
The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology has warned that visibility will be reduced to as little as 500 meters and forecasters say it could last days.
The storm has also been blamed for a rise in the number of patients admitted to hospitals with respiratory problems.
The fine particles in a sandstorm can trigger acute asthma attacks in sufferers and can leave people coughing, wheezing, short of breath and prone to infections.
[BBC]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- The Revolution of Yulia Navalnaya
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- What's the Deal With the Bitcoin Halving?
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com