DAMMAM: The heavy dust storms in the Eastern Province normally occur at the end of spring and the start of summer, according to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME). At this time of year winds blow over the eastern, central and northern areas carrying dust, said Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman for the PME. He added that the lack of rain contributes to the spread of dust. Meanwhile, the Border Guard in the province allowed fishing boats in Al-Khafji to sail after banning them Friday because of the dust storms. The ban on sailing in Qatif, Rass Tannoura and Al-Khobar is still in place. Colonel Muhammad Al-Ghamdi, spokesman for the Eastern Province Border Guard, said that in Al-Khafji fishermen were allowed to sail because weather conditions in the area improved. Dust storms are still occurring in other areas of the province, he said. He said the decision to allow fisherman to go out to sea has been left in the hands of the field commands at all ports. “The country has a Gulf coastline of 800 kilometers which means areas differ in terms of wind and temperature.”
