Schools closed after sandstorm hits Gulf

DUBAI: Severe sandstorms swept through the Gulf Arab states yesterday forcing the authorities to close down schools and people were warned to be extra careful while driving because of poor visibility. In UAE, the visibility was very low after the sandstorm and the met department said the conditions would remain the same today. Kuwait has suspended classes and shut down schools after it was blanketed in heavy dust. The country’s university, colleges and institutes were also closed for the day as a consequence of the bad weather, the education ministry said. In Saudi Arabia, the authorities closed schools in Riyadh and several provinces Sunday following warning from the General Directorate of Civil Defence of heavy dust storm called ‘shamal’. In Dammam, Saudi Arabia, the coastguards have warned fi shermen against venturing into the sea, urging them to wait until the conditions improved. In Bahrain, traffi c authorities said 54 accidents had occurred between 0600 hrs and noon after visibility was drastically reduced. Health offi cials said 250 people had to be treated at the country’s main hospital, the Gulf News said.