Sandstorm surprises Dubai and Northern Emirates

A sandstorm hit Dubai on Monday afternoon, reducing visibility to just a few hundred metres, with rain in some areas.

According to the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), Jebel Ali and the new Emirates Road areas appeared to be the most affected, with visibility less than 500 metres.

Dubai Police also issued a warning to drivers to proceed with caution due to the sudden weather change.

The old Bypass Road, one of the affected areas, saw two trailers collide near the Al Ain turnoff.

Meanwhile, tailbacks have been reported on the highway, adding to the rush hour traffic.

Even as motorists took to Twitter about the high winds and driving conditions, NCMS assured that what Dubai and Sharjah was facing was not in fact a sandstorm, but “dusty weather, caused by gusty winds.”

An NCMS spokesman said  “This is daily weather that we see in the Eastern parts, which is caused by convective clouds that dissipate and are pushed down by the winds, stirring up sand in the lower areas. However, the wind pattern has carried this weather pattern further west.

“This weather will clear up within minutes when the wind settles down.”
 
But residents ,rattled by the high winds of nearly 60kmph, took to Twitter, warning other drivers.

Residents and students around American University of Sharjah have tweeted about poor visibility due to the sandstorm in the area.

Fatma Al Falasi tweeted: “Worst sandstorm I've ever witnessed.”

Rakesh Bakshi wrote: “Drivers, please be safe today and let’s not speed. We all have families to return home to.”

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) urged drivers to always maintain a safe distance when driving in extreme weather and drive carefully as visibility could be limited to a short distance.