The Eastern Province was hit by a sandstorm over the weekend with strong winds and low visibility keeping residents indoors. The Corniche, parks and other areas where families gather were empty on Friday. The storm started suddenly on Thursday evening spreading sand and dust throughout the region. The few pedestrians who ventured into the downtown area could be seen wearing facemasks and goggles. With people staying indoors for fear of contracting allergies, several cultural and community organizations canceled their meetings especially those scheduled for outdoor areas. Due to the strong wind and poor visibility, many construction companies canceled work especially on projects located in open areas. Motorists had a particularly hard time on Thursday evening because of the low visibility. An expert from the traffic department advised drivers to be extremely cautious due to the fine particles of sand on the road which could increase the chance of skidding, especially if the brakes were applied suddenly.
