The Eastern Province has been enveloped in a haze of sand and dust since Thursday morning, with motorists as well as pedestrians being inconvenienced by the suddenly inclement weather. Layers of sand and dust covered residential areas, and pedestrians were seen wearing face masks as a precaution. The storm, which began in the early morning, caused some traffic accidents due to the reduced visibility during the rush hour, and construction companies cancelled work, particularly on those projects located in open areas. Several hospitals in the Eastern Province reported an influx of patients suffering from allergic sinusitis, bronchial asthma, eye redness and chronic airway obstruction caused by the sand and dust in the air. People preferred to stay indoors, and with several cultural and community organizations canceling their outings due to the storm, the city's Corniche and parks were almost empty.
