DUBAI: A thin cover of dust has blanketed the northern Emirates including Dubai yesterday, reducing visibility heavily, especially in the morning. Forecasts indicate that the situation may continue including Friday. Ajman, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al-Khaimah also have similar problems.
Doctors in Dubai and Sharjah say that the number of fever and flu cases has gone up due to bad weather. They advised residents to take precautions during sandy weather.
"Children and allergic people should be very careful, because it is dust everywhere," says Dr. Saleem, who runs a private medical center in Dubai.
The health and safety training provider and consultancy CHSS Gulf advised that construction companies to protect their workers' health since the heat of the sun and humidity level are unbearable.
Too much exposure to the sun can be life-threatening as it can lead to heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, while prolonged physical activity without consuming water in a humid climate can also be dangerous.
CHSS Gulf consultant and operations director Brenig Moore explained: "Heatstroke is more serious than heat exhaustion. Heatstroke can kill you. People with heatstroke may have seizures or go into a coma."
Meanwhile, a traffic police officer in Sharjah cautioned people who drive at night and early in the morning.
"It is humid and dusty, drivers should be very careful these days," he advised. Weathermen at the National Center for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) forecasted that the weather is expected to get hotter with the southeasterly winds. "Humidity is also expected to increase from today (Thursday)," he added.
