A severe and untimely sandstorm hit the Eastern Province on Thursday disrupting normal life in most part of the region and affecting flight operations at King Fahd International Airport as visibility was reduced to 500 meters.
Dammam and Al-Khobar were enveloped in thick dust, blinding the entire region. Traffic Department did report a few accidents on Dammam-Al-Khobar Expressway as well as on Jubail Expressway but the extent of casualties and injuries were not known till the time of going to the press.
The winds blowing at a speed of 51 kmph created havoc on the streets of Al-Khobar, Dammam, Sihat, Thuqba, Qatif, Al-Ahsa, Jubail and as far as Al-Khafji. The control tower at the airport said that though flight operations were “normal but poor visibility did force some adjustments in schedule.” There was no specific warning about the impending sandstorm by the weather department. It was a normal morning with clear skies. But soon after 9 a.m, pressure started building up and by 11 a.m. the entire region was enveloped in thick dust.
Because of the ongoing examinations at Saudi schools and closure of several international schools for winter break, traffic was not as bad on Dammam-Al-Khobar Expressway as it could have been.
The traffic department in coordination with the health department has put its personnel on red alert and sensitive and prone-to-accident locations, including King Fahd Road leading to the airport, are been closely monitored.
The Saudi Arabian Transport Company (SAPTCO) also reported some major adjustments in its time-table for its fleet operating from Dammam. Situation at King Fahd Saudi-Bahraini Causeway was also chaotic as the Passports Department found it tough to handle the increasing traffic in this weather.
Beaches and fast food joints wore deserted looks and so did the market place at Al-Khobar's King Khaled Street as well as Dammam's Ladies Market.
Hospitals reported increased cases of asthma and allergies.
It is not normal to have sandstorm around this time of the year. The Eastern Province normally experiences rains during January-February. There were some scattered showers in early December.
