Flights and air traffic have resumed at Kuwait International Airport following severe weather caused by a dust storm, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority said on Monday.
Civil aviation officials announced the return of air traffic at 5.50pm local time after suspending flights for nearly three hours.
Earlier on Monday, the skies in Kuwait turned orange as a severe sandstorm blanketed the country, forcing airport authorities to suspend all flights for the second time this month due to the weather phenomenon.
“Commercial flights will be rescheduled because of current weather patterns, while air traffic will resume normally only once the dust storm subsides,” said Emad Al Juluwi, Kuwait Civil Aviation's deputy director general for Air Navigation Services Affairs.
Kuwait's Ministry of Interior warned all citizens and residents on Monday of the unstable weather caused by the dust storm and of poor visibility on the roads for most of the day.
Sandstorms have engulfed the Middle East in recent weeks in a phenomenon experts say could become more frequent because of climate change, putting human health at serious risk.
At least 4,000 people were taken to hospital two weeks ago in Iraq with respiratory issues, where nine sandstorms have hit the country since mid-April.
Dust storms have also smothered Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and parts of the UAE — with more feared in the coming days.
The National Centre of Meteorology issued a warning that a number of Saudi cities will be affected by strong winds that may lead to dust storms.
The agency said the areas of Riyadh and the Eastern Province could be hit, along with Tabuk, Makkah and Madinah.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
1. |
United States |
2. |
China |
3. |
UAE |
4. |
Japan |
5 |
Norway |
6. |
Canada |
7. |
Singapore |
8. |
Australia |
9. |
Saudi Arabia |
10. |
South Korea |
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
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Rest
(Because Music)
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If you go
Flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.
The stay
Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.
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MATCH INFO
Brescia 1 (Skrinia og, 76)
Inter Milan 2 (Martinez 33, Lukaku 63)
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,200 metres
Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Younis Kalbani (trainer)
5.30pm: UAE Arabian Derby (PA) | Prestige | Dh150,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Octave, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 3 (PA) | Group 3 Dh300,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Harrab, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Ali
6.30pm: Emirates Championship (PA) | Group 1 | Dh1million | 2,200m
Winner: BF Mughader, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (TB) | Group 3 | Dh380,000 | 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) | Conditions | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF La’Asae, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel