RIYADH: A severe sandstorm began lashing Riyadh at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, spreading a blanket of dust that reduced visibility and led to heavy traffic congestion.
"Everyone on the road was taking extra care," said journalist Ahmed Nasser.
"The visibility was reduced to barely 50 meters and vehicles were moving at a snail's pace," said Asif Abdul Cader, who works at King Abdullah Economic City and traveled to King Khaled International Airport to pick up a passenger.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation said air traffic was disrupted as the sandstorm intensified. At least two flights, one SriLankan and one Middle East Airlines, were redirected.
Earlier, Air India Flight 929 from Kochi, due to arrive at 4 p.m., had to circle the airport for a delayed landing due to the weather conditions.
"The pilot made three unsuccessful attempts to land, but finally his fourth attempt was successful," said Sharukh Methar, a passenger on the flight. The plane touched down at around 4:30 p.m.
The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) had issued a weather alert earlier in the day for the Kingdom's central and eastern regions saying there would be a drop in temperature along with clouds, thunder and lightning. There was no precipitation reported in Riyadh.
Kuwait closed schools, universities and seaports and suspended incoming flights to its airport due to the regional weather disturbance.
Saudi Arabia, as well as other arid countries in the region, typically experience sandstorms as temperatures begin their seasonal rises or drops.
© Arab News 2011
