PME spokesman Hussain Al-Qahtani said the impact of the ongoing atmospheric depression continues in central and eastern parts of the Kingdom with dust storms and visibility falling to less than 2 km particularly in Riyadh, Qassim, Dammam, and Ahsa.
The express highways between Makkah and Madinah and open spaces in the two provinces will also experience dust storms and fall in temperature. Civil Defense, police, traffic and Red Crescent are on high alert to deal with accidents that might be caused by poor visibility.
A member of the Health Committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdul Rahim Qari said the number of people seeking medical assistance for breathing difficulties and eye complaints grew by 15 percent after the dust storm hit the city.
Dr. Abdul Aziz of emergency diseases said the dust storms aggravated heart and lung complaints apart from increasing allergic conditions. He warned against exposure of children and the elderly to dust storms.
In Riyadh, driving was difficult with traffic moving at snail’s pace. The Traffic Department advised motorists to exercise caution, use headlights and not drive fast.
“In fact, at about 8 a.m., there was almost zero visibility as I drove toward Batha for groceries. Motorists, flashing hazard lights, negotiated the slow-moving traffic. I changed my mind and decided to just go to a nearby supermarket,” said Joey E. Santos, power plant and water treatment operator at a government hospital. Benny M. Quiambao, building contractor, added that by 10 a.m. visibility had improved but remained poor and many pedestrians and motorists protected themselves by wearing dust masks. Santos added that the sandstorm also dampened the enthusiasm of many expatriates who normally go to Batha on weekends.
Some claimed, however, that the Hara area was not affected by dust storm, as were other areas. “Unlike last week, the weather in the Eastern Province is clear,” said Edward Rodriguez, company manager in Alkhobar. In Hail, the weather was also good, according to Edmund Nieto, who works with STC.
