Following one of Qatar’s worst sandstorms in years, passengers who were supposed to board several flights scheduled to take off in the middle of the night from Hamad International Airport appear to still be stuck in the terminal with no revised departure times.
This includes the midnight KLM flight to Amsterdam, the 1:35am Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt and the 1:35am Qatar Airways/Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong.
New experience – #duststorm The picture is an A380 #doha airport, but it's choking inside to & staff all in masks! pic.twitter.com/utC2rN6Y31
— Justin Kelly (@JSL_Kelly) April 1, 2015
Many other flights departed HIA this morning after a few hours of delays.
https://twitter.com/PeterofArabia/status/583374162112081920
For example, a Qatar Airways flight to Colombo in Sri Lanka was delayed by more than three hours, finally taking off at 4:30am, instead of its scheduled 12:55am.
And a Fly Dubai flight to Dubai which was due to leave Doha at 3:10am was actually canceled.
Speaking to Doha News, an airport representative said that most flights would be flying on schedule for the rest of the morning, but advised passengers due to travel today to check with their airline for the latest status update.
However, according to HIA’s website, delays out of the airport are piling up. Arrivals from elsewhere are also seeing delays – for example, a Qatar Airways flight from Dammam that was due to land at 5:10am is now not expected until 12:19pm.
For its part, the national carrier (and airport operator) has recommended passengers check the status of their flights online:
Due to adverse weather conditions, there are travel delays. Please check FLIGHT STATUS on http://t.co/scK4Mhdy0g for the latest updates.
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) April 2, 2015
Schools closed
Citing “extreme weather conditions,” Qatar’s Supreme Education Council decided that private and public schools would remain shut today.
Several universities are also closed, including Northwestern University in Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University in Qatar and Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar. The College of the North Atlantic Qatar has also announced it would be shut.
Due to extreme weather conditions, all Qatar independent and private schools will observe a day off today Thursday(1)
— وزارة التربية والتعليم والتعليم العالي (@Qatar_Edu) April 1, 2015
corresponding to April 2nd, 2015. Stay safe all. (2)
— وزارة التربية والتعليم والتعليم العالي (@Qatar_Edu) April 1, 2015
Notably, Qatar University remained opened, much to the frustration of many students:
https://twitter.com/ShaimaSherif/status/583524283596439552
The weather is a result of a high pressure front from Saudi Arabia, which has also shut many of its schools in certain parts of the country, Arab News reports.
Weather forecast
According to the Qatar Meteorology Department (MET), wind speeds here are forecast to reach as high as 35 knots inshore (65km/hour) and 38 knots (70km/hour) offshore.
Dusty conditions are expected to prevail through Friday, though the worst of this sandstorm should be over by lunchtime, says Steff Gaulter, senior meteorologist at Al Jazeera English:
Don't despair guys, this dust won't last forever. Should improve greatly around lunchtime today.
— Steff Gaulter (@WeatherSteff) April 2, 2015
For those reporting to work today, the Ministry of Interior has warned of almost zero visibility on the roads, and reminded people to please refrain from using their hazard lights:
Don’t use hazards lights while driving in adverse conditions. It’s only meant for emergency parking. #MoI_Qatar
— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) April 1, 2015
Here’s a roundup of what people are experiencing around town:
Are you venturing out today? Thoughts?
Good that they closed the schools, and also that some universities decided to close today, but what about people going to work? I even saw some construction workers outside while going to the office … in such conditions, everyone should be staying home … are the government entities actually working today?
I’ld like to thank the police men who were standing in the middle of the storm helping others and making us feel safe, I couldn’t continue driving at 10:20 pm due to the horrible weather in a matter of minutes even before I call, they stopped and asked if I need any help, those men deserve to be thanked!
I’m a student in QU. the classes and parking lots were empty. The majority of the faculty members notified students in advance to not attend classes.
My worst ever sandstorm experience in seven years living in Qatar.
It’s not getting better. Now, at 08:30 Dukhan is getting worst compared to 3 hours ago. The colours outside is yellowish with dust.
I’ld like to thank the police men who were standing in the middle of the storm helping others and making us feel safe, I couldn’t continue driving at 10:20 pm due to the horrible weather in a matter of minutes even before I call, they stopped and asked if I need any help, those men deserve to be thanked ..
Thumbs – up to those policemen!
Careful now… You might get banned for saying something positive
You’re just as single minded and myopic as those you complain about.
I’m not complaining
Deleting for personal attack.
Wow. You’ve thanked the police. MIMH will be angry now. Just wait fir his retort- no thats not true retort
Deleting for personal attack..
Pretty sensible decision! Well done
If there is a security issue due the weather conditions, there is nothing to blame HIA authorities. I wish I had a mask to sleep yesterday night… felt I slept on the desert.
Good day for a World Cup final?
Cause the rest of the plant are immunie to adverse weather
We will rebuild
Or just hire some extra cleaners 🙂
Reminds me of the resolve shown be my fellow countryman after the last earthquake in the UK
Thank God the MOI has mentioned and cautioned against the improper use of hazard lights. A bit of rain, some sand and the cars light up like it’s Christmas Terribly confusing. Wonder who started this.
But I have got to say, mighty good effort by the cops who stood out in the dust trying to reign in the chaos. I saw a Tiida driving the wrong way on an exit ramp off the expressway. Hope he got home safely.
Dust protocol..a sign of the coming heatwave??
Damn tiida drivers
Menace to society.
Expat driven white Lancers and pink Bentleys.
Expat driven pink bentleys and those guys on unicorns..
Those Landcruiser drivers are to blame!
Now why cant people understand the meaning of “hazard lights”……hello, its for emergencies only. In a roundabout a vehicle’s hazard lights are flashing whilst on the move but who can guess which exit will be used especially if they are on the inner or middle lanes, how ridiculous & they just never learn, do they.
Had my pool cleaned yesterday. Now it looks like a swamp. I’m waiting for the creature from the deep to climb out and knock my back window…
^_^..
Major kudos and thanks to the pilots who landed my Qr flight from JNB early this morning #Blessings
you’re welcome 😉