If you are coming to Saudi Arabia for the first time or looking to settle here, you must know that the dust storms are a norm here.
Dust is carried by heavy wind gusts on major cities and their surrounding areas. Strong winds blow at the speed of 50-60 kmph reducing visibility for most of the day.
At times the heavy winds continue into the night. Low visibility slows down the traffic in the cities. Motorists on the highways and expressways are faced with difficulties in particular.
The weather in the morning usually starts normally early in the morning. But after sometime as the heat takes over, the dust usually start hovering over various parts and the storm intensifies later.
Dust and sand storms are among nature's most violent and unpredictable phenomena. High winds lift dirt or sand particles into the air, unleashing a turbulent, suffocating cloud that can reduce visibility to almost nothing in a matter of seconds and cause property damage, injuries, and deaths. No matter where you live, it's a good idea to know what to do if you see a wall of sand racing toward you. Here are 6 to-dos when facing a sand-storm;
- Put a mask over your nose and mouth.
- Protect your eyes.
- Look for shelter.
- Get to high ground.
- Shield yourself from flying objects.
- Wait out the storm.