JEDDAH — Jeddah and its surrounding areas have been engulfed in a wave of dust for the last few days, with sandstorms raging at a speed of 20 km per hour on Monday. Jeddah Health Affairs Director Mubarak Asiri said it was prepared to face the consequences of bad weather. The temperature recorded on Monday was 35 degrees Celsius, but the humidity was very high at 47 percent, making life unbearable. Health authorities expect a steep rise in diseases as a result of the weather. "All health institutions in the city are on high alert and ready to receive emergency cases. Many patients with respiratory problems are expected to visit the emergency rooms due to the stifling weather. The emergency wards in all hospitals are open around the clock and are geared to receive increasing number of patients in the coming days," said Asiri. He advised people of Jeddah, especially the ones with asthma and chest diseases, to stay away from dust. "Patients with asthma and chest diseases must not leave their house without wearing face masks and must go out only when it is absolutely necessary. The dust is thick enough to blur vision and we do not know how long will this last," said Asiri. The Presidency for Meteorology and Environmental Protection announced on its website that there will be active wind and dust in Makkah and Madinah in the coming days. It also predicted more rain and thunderstorms in Najran, Jazan, Asir, Baha, Taif and eastern parts of Makkah province. There might also be fog in the early morning in the Eastern Province with an increase in humidity.
