A dust storm in Oman in March. More are forecast for this weekend. Photo: Getty
A dust storm in Oman in March. More are forecast for this weekend. Photo: Getty
A dust storm in Oman in March. More are forecast for this weekend. Photo: Getty
A dust storm in Oman in March. More are forecast for this weekend. Photo: Getty

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Oman

Dust storms forecast in Oman at the weekend

Weather warning comes as Iraq 'suffocates' under blanket of sand and dust

Taylor Heyman
Taylor Heyman

May 06, 2022

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  • Arabic

Oman residents have been warned to expect dust storms at the weekend, by the country's General Directorate of Meteorology.

The directorate said south-easterly winds could whip up sand and dust in open areas in some parts of the sultanate, while the Arabian Sea will be choppy.

This weather warning comes as Iraq “suffocates” under repeated dust storms.

The most recent one led more than more than 1,000 people being admitted to hospital — many with breathing problems — and resulted in one person dying.

Sand and dust blanketed roads and forced airports to close.

Iraq is prone to seasonal sandstorms but experts and officials say they are becoming more frequent, exacerbated by record low rainfall, desertification and climate change.

Dust storms hit Iraq – in pictures

An aerial view of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah during a heavy sandstorm. AFP
An aerial view of Iraq's southern city of Nasiriyah during a heavy sandstorm. AFP
Imam Ali shrine in Najaf. Iraq awoke to its fifth sandstorm within a month on Thursday. AFP
Imam Ali shrine in Najaf. Iraq awoke to its fifth sandstorm within a month on Thursday. AFP
Hundreds of Iraqis with respiratory problems were admitted to hospital as a result of the sandstorm. AP
Hundreds of Iraqis with respiratory problems were admitted to hospital as a result of the sandstorm. AP
Authorities urged Iraqis to stay indoors. AP
Authorities urged Iraqis to stay indoors. AP
Flights were suspended for several hours on Thursday. AP
Flights were suspended for several hours on Thursday. AP
Hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of patients with respiratory problems. AP
Hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of patients with respiratory problems. AP
Recent sandstorms have turned the skies over Iraq orange and coated cities with dust. AFP
Recent sandstorms have turned the skies over Iraq orange and coated cities with dust. AFP
Iraqis pray at the Imam Ali shrine during the sandstorm. AFP
Iraqis pray at the Imam Ali shrine during the sandstorm. AFP
Iraq is prone to seasonal sandstorms but experts are worried about their increasing frequency in recent years. AFP
Iraq is prone to seasonal sandstorms but experts are worried about their increasing frequency in recent years. AFP
Dust fills the air during a sandstorm in Baghdad. AFP
Dust fills the air during a sandstorm in Baghdad. AFP
A deserted road during a spring sandstorm in Baghdad. AFP
A deserted road during a spring sandstorm in Baghdad. AFP
Traffic was light because of the poor visibility. AFP
Traffic was light because of the poor visibility. AFP
More poor visibility during a sandstorm in the city of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province, Iraq. AFP
More poor visibility during a sandstorm in the city of Nasiriyah in Dhi Qar province, Iraq. AFP
Drivers were forced to slow down in Nasiriyah. AFP
Drivers were forced to slow down in Nasiriyah. AFP
Cars on a road as a sandstorm hits Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
Cars on a road as a sandstorm hits Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters
The area is prone to sandstorms, which can reduce visibility to a few hundred metres. Reuters
The area is prone to sandstorms, which can reduce visibility to a few hundred metres. Reuters
Sandstorms often lead to all flights from Baghdad being cancelled. Reuters
Sandstorms often lead to all flights from Baghdad being cancelled. Reuters
The sandstorms can cause breathing difficulties for residents. Reuters
The sandstorms can cause breathing difficulties for residents. Reuters
Iraq's Meteorological Authority this week said the country was under a North African depression, known locally as ‘khamaseen’. Reuters
Iraq's Meteorological Authority this week said the country was under a North African depression, known locally as ‘khamaseen’. Reuters
The sandstorm turns the Baghdad sky orange. Reuters
The sandstorm turns the Baghdad sky orange. Reuters
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Updated: May 06, 2022, 7:02 PM`
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