Dust Storms...

This sand/dust storm moved in literally within a 5-minute time span. I had left the office briefly. When I came back, the whole sky was whitish-grey. The front doors going outside were open, and I could smell the dust already. People outside, walking towards the building, were covering their mouths with sleeves or hands.

This morning I could smell and breathe the dust inside my apartment, and a thick cloud hung near in the downstairs carpark.

While we do get sandstorms here, I've never seen a storm move in this quickly here.

Dust envelops Qatar
http://www.gulf-times.com/mritems/images/2009/2/12/2_272609_1_248.jpg



Palm trees swaying in the wind as a thick dust haze shrouds the Corniche. Inset: A couple caught in the dust storm cover their faces. PICTURES: Jayan Orma


A HEAVY haze enveloped most parts of Qatar as a dust storm swept through the state yesterday.

The condition will continue today but with a lesser intensity, Met officials said yesterday.

The wind is expected to subside for a while before noon but will gather strength once again later in the day. The dust storm is expected to recede by late in the evening, they said.

The Met office attributed the dusty winds to the formation of a high-pressure ridge over the northwestern areas of Saudi Arabia and of its movement to central Iran. Doha was on the path of its movement, said the head of the forecasting department, Abdullah al-Mannai.

“The situation may continue for the next 48 hours,” he said.
The weather office forecast a wind speed of up to 40 knots on the offshore and a high sea of 14-16ft.

Visibility was in the region of 600m to 650m, it added.

The dust storm is expected to move towards the UAE this morning.
Drizzles are possible, Met officials said.

The intensity of dust storms was severe in Ras Laffan, Shamal and Ruweis.
Work at many construction sites had to be suspended as the haze hit visibility badly.

A Qatar Airways spokesman said incoming as well as outgoing flights were not affected.

Meanwhile, work at all Kuwaiti ports has been halted since yesterday morning due to bad weather. Most of the capital was shrouded in a dusty cloud.