DAMMAM, 6 August 2003 — A severe sandstorm yesterday played havoc with normal life in the Eastern Province.
According to the Presidency of Meteorological Protection, the sandstorm reduced visibility to near zero in the morning hours.
As a result, both domestic and international flights were affected. According to the King Fahd International Airport officials, the Air-India flight from Bombay, scheduled to land at KFIA, was diverted to Doha while the Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, also from Bombay, was diverted to Riyadh. Syrian Air arrived late and a Middle East Airlines (MEA) flight was also delayed. The domestic situation was worse. A number of flights were canceled.
The Saudi Railway Organization reported that their trains operated smoothly without delays. The Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company also reported delays and some bus breakdowns. The traffic department reported accidents but no casualties or major injuries.
The sandstorm also affected shopping malls with shopkeepers complaining of few shoppers. Most residents who could preferred to remain indoors.
According to the weather department, pressure has been building up in the region for several days and as a result, residents have endured extreme humidity.
“The present sandstorm is a result of that pressure and it will clear in a day. Dust particles might remain in the atmosphere for a few days as there are no chances of rain,” a weather department official said.
However, he warned residents of more humidity in the coming days. The sandstorm brought down temperatures in the region, which has been experiencing scorching heat and the mercury reaching as high as 48 degrees Celsius. There has also been some respite from the humidity.
