The Qatar Meteorology Department is cautioning residents about strong winds and high tides, as well as reduced visibility due to blowing dust this afternoon:
اخر صور الاقمار الاصطناعية حيث تظهر بالصورة وجود الغبار المثار على المناطق الجنوبية للبلاد pic.twitter.com/bm2jjFtYAG
— أرصاد قطر (@qatarweather) February 9, 2015
A southeasterly wind moving at 20 knots (37km/hour) has cut visibility to 3km by the old airport, a MET forecaster told Doha News. Elsewhere in Qatar, visibility has fallen to less than 2km, he added.
The strong winds will continue until the evening, when visibility should improve.
But they are expected to pick up again tomorrow, with possible dusty conditions during Sport Day, and on Wednesday as well, as the forecaster said.
During sandstorms, health officials generally advise that residents drive with their windows closed; avoid rubbing their eyes to prevent infections; and carry a supply of water to keep from being dehydrated.
Because children are especially vulnerable – thousands were taken to the hospital last month during a sandstorm – doctors advise parents to cover their kids’ mouths and noses while outside, to avoid reducing inhalation of dust particles.
How’s your part of town looking? Thoughts?
Sad that outdoor activities on Sports day will be spoiled.
If you have to be “advised” or told to drive with your windows closed during a sandstorm then you must be ……. hmmm! Not quite sure why we have to carry water for ‘dehydration” in a dust storm. Residents should be cautioned about the low visibility and stay off the roads!
Come on, own up, who has performed a cheeky little ‘prayer for dust’ in advance of sports day?
I did, I totally did !! haha – im kidding, but it is true it sucks, because my company had planned a nice day in the desert ! but then, why not stay home with the Fam ? 🙂
Drivers should be advised to put on headlights in low visibility and use rear fog lights, if fitted and they know where the switch is located (refer to handbook). Also to use the windscreen washer frequently as the build-up of dust is so gradual that it is not noticeable over a long journey. And keep a good distance from the car in front !!! Carry water to rinse the windows for better visibility – not for drinking. SEE AND BE SEEN.
What a bummer! I don’t think I’ll be driving around nor joining our company sports activities in this dusty weather 🙁 Health and safety hazard!
Who’d have thought the Rocky movie would turn out to be the healthiest Sports day activity?
Being a kitesurfer enthusiast, I have to say that I rejoice! We will fly.
That being said, I do feel concern for the outdoor activities such as the Doha Dash. Let’s get masked all around.
We are new to Qatar and first time experiencing sandstorms and dusty conditions. We went out for sports day all day long and came home covered in dust but what concerned me the most is my two year old who developed a cough when we got home and kept coughing during the night with a little bit of wheezing. I know it’s because of all the dust he inhaled during the day we were out. Anyone advises how to make him feel better and does the body eventually get rid of all the dust particles?