A massive sandstorm struck the United Arab Emirates today, halting activity from Dubai to Abu Dhabi.
The storm has disrupted flights into and out of Dubai, a major regional hub, and shut down bus links between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. According to the National, area hospitals have seen a sharp rise in the numbers of patients admitted. Doctors attributed the increase to asthma attacks caused by dust inhalation, as well as injuries from car accidents caused by poor visibility. Doctors encouraged people to stay inside and off the roads in order to remain safe.
People throughout the region snapped photos of their cities becoming obscured by a cloud of red sand.
Dubai
Sandstorm in dubai seeing it for the first time ! pic.twitter.com/Pq2SDMJdvG
— RAAI LAXMI (@iamlakshmirai) April 2, 2015
Getting worse @gulf_news #sandstorm #Dubai pic.twitter.com/e3R7qQcUws
— dinah (@dens_dinah) April 2, 2015
Bizarre opening for Australia's @CommBank Shooting Stars series against an England XI in Dubai http://t.co/HscBmPgw3l pic.twitter.com/2FQNozskgx
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) April 2, 2015
Abu Dhabi
View from my window in Abu Dhabi A mega-sandstorm has engulfed the country/region and is causing major disruption.. pic.twitter.com/plVMNaxCMw
— John Rowell (@johnnoNB) April 2, 2015
Pictures (unedited) of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi today. #sandstorm pic.twitter.com/iXkogP0FYQ
— Jason (@jasonindubai) April 2, 2015
#sandstorm over #AbuDhabi crazy colour outside pic.twitter.com/AI3Kjqs3Bj
— Stefanie Szlapka (@StefanieSzlapka) April 2, 2015
Sandstorm envelopes #WTCAD ... Zero visibility this morning in #AbuDhabi !!! @WTCAD @AbuDhabiPaddy pic.twitter.com/JzwxzMUq5u
— Zulfiqar H. Bilgrami (@zhbilgrami) April 2, 2015
