Residents in the UAE woke up to hazy skies as a strong dust storm and strong winds swept across the country, reducing visibility significantly and causing safety concerns. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued yellow and orange alerts, advising citizens and motorists to take precautions while outdoors and on the roads.
Visibility, as per the NCM, has fallen below 1,000 meters in certain regions due to extensive dust and sandstorms. The high northwesterly winds, which blew at a velocity of up to 50km/h, will continue to rage during the course of the day, particularly on open spaces, highways, and coastal areas.
Yellow alert has also been issued for a rough sea in the Arabian Gulf, with caution advised for waves of up to 7 feet. It is strongly recommended that marine activity be avoided and that people steer clear of beaches and water frontages until such time as the weather conditions stabilize.
The authorities have asked the public, particularly those suffering from respiratory ailments, to stay indoors and use masks as much as possible. Emergency responders are on standby, and the situation is being updated in real-time via official NCM outlets.
