Traffic snarls in several cities; PME forecasts more inclement weatherRIYADH — Motorists in various parts of the Kingdom found it difficult to arrive at their workplaces on time as severe sandstorms and low visibility snarled traffic along main thoroughfares of various cities. The inclement weather, which started Saturday and continued till Sunday, forced authorities to close all schools in Riyadh, Yanbu, Balqarn and Tathleeth governorates and Najran, Northern Borders and Al-Jouf regions. There seems to be no respite from unpleasant weather as the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) forecast more sandstorms in several cities of the Kingdom including Riyadh and its surrounding areas and parts of northern border areas and the Eastern Province. It said surface winds carrying dust would engulf parts of the capital and North and Eastern regions limiting visibility to less than a kilometer. The PME statement also forecast a sharp fall in temperatures, which in some cases, may drop to minus zero in northern parts including Tabuk, Turaif, and Qurayyat. Parts of Madina and Makkah regions would also be affected by dust storms starting Monday morning, the PME report said. Jeddawis also experienced dust storm which continued to sweep the city during most of Sunday. Cold, shivering wind Saturday night also meant that summer's onset should further be delayed. In the early hours of Sunday, students were forced to take out their warm clothes as temperatures dipped sharply. However, sources in the education department said there was no move to suspend classes. Civil Defense has sounded an alert although its director, Brig. Abdullah Al-Jedawi, said the PME didn't issue any worrying report. Over 830 patients were treated in Riyadh region's hospitals till Sunday evening. Children suffered most from chest diseases, allergy, asthma and other respiratory problems. In Dammam, the coastguards have warned fishermen against venturing in the sea, urging them to wait until the conditions improved. Doctors have also urged citizens to use face masks to prevent allergies resulting from sandstorms and the expected weather changes in the coming days. Respiratory and skin allergies are likely to increase in the coming days as the mercury dips further and strong winds whip up fine sand particles, they said.
