Nilesh Trivedi's pictured of Dubai Marina taken from the balcony of his home in the Lakes at dusk. All photos: Nilesh Trivedi
Nilesh Trivedi's pictured of Dubai Marina taken from the balcony of his home in the Lakes at dusk. All photos: Nilesh Trivedi
Mr Trivedi, who has a keen interest in nature photography, became interested in photographing weather after he moved to Dubai.
Mr Trivedi, who has a keen interest in nature photography, became interested in photographing weather after he moved to Dubai.
Dubai has many striking buildings, such as Burj Khalifa, for photographers to snap.
Dubai has many striking buildings, such as Burj Khalifa, for photographers to snap.
Dubai Marina at sunset.
Dubai Marina at sunset.
Burj Khalifa on a stormy day in Dubai.
Burj Khalifa on a stormy day in Dubai.
Dubai Marina in daytime from the Lakes.
Dubai Marina in daytime from the Lakes.
Birds landing in the water at Dubai Creek.
Birds landing in the water at Dubai Creek.
Sheikh Zayed Road at night.
Sheikh Zayed Road at night.

UAE

Amateur photographer's stunning image of Dubai Marina sheds new light on sandstorms

Landmark towers seem to rise up out of the sand amid 'unprecedented' weather across the region

Gillian Duncan
Gillian Duncan

May 19, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The towers appear to rise up out of the haze, like a scene from a post-apocalyptic movie set centuries in the future.

Except this is Dubai Marina and the image was shot on Tuesday, when the UAE was in the grip of the tail end of a dust storm that had swept in from Iraq.

It was taken by amateur photographer Nilesh Trivedi from the balcony of his home in the Lakes at dusk.

“It was so unusual to see that,” said Mr Trivedi, 49, from Zimbabwe, who has lived in the UAE for 15 years.

“It was as if the buildings were rising out of the dust, the desert. It almost looked like a modern Arabian Nights kind of scene.

“You don’t normally see this amount of dust in the air in Dubai. This was really something unprecedented.”

Mr Trivedi first got into nature photography back home, and became interested in weather after his move.

He now heads out in any type of unusual conditions, tipped off by meteorology hobbyist Howard Townsend, who runs the Unofficial UAE Weather and Information group on Facebook.

Mr Trivedi shares all his pictures of the sky around Dubai on the social media page, sometimes attracting dozens of likes and comments.

“I am very interested in finding out what the weather conditions are going to be like," he said. "It’s always nice to have a little bit of notice to know when lightning is going to come or it’s going to be cloudy.

“So I joined the group for that. And through that I have come to know you get a bit of advanced notice to know when there will be a change in the weather. That helps me to be ready.”

The UAE has been experiencing severe dust storms since Tuesday.

Official weather stations have been registering hazardous air quality in many areas since, with the scale reaching as high as 684 near Al Ain on Thursday morning. Experts say anything higher than 250 can have an immediate effect on health.

The hot and dusty conditions will remain for the next few days, with National Centre of Meteorology issuing a warning of blowing sand and dust until Sunday.

Sand and dust storms hit parts of the Mena region - in pictures

A picture taken from Muharraq Island shows a sandstorm engulfing the skyline of Bahrain's capital Manama. The Middle East's sandstorms are becoming more frequent and intense, a trend associated with overgrazing and deforestation, overuse of river water and more dams. AFP
A picture taken from Muharraq Island shows a sandstorm engulfing the skyline of Bahrain's capital Manama. The Middle East's sandstorms are becoming more frequent and intense, a trend associated with overgrazing and deforestation, overuse of river water and more dams. AFP
Massive dust and sand storms have descended on the Gulf this week, bringing extraordinarily high levels of dust and pollutants, particularly in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Bahrain's capital Manama (pictured) has been similarly affected. AFP
Massive dust and sand storms have descended on the Gulf this week, bringing extraordinarily high levels of dust and pollutants, particularly in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Bahrain's capital Manama (pictured) has been similarly affected. AFP
Children play outside during a sandstorm on Muharraq Island, north of the Bahraini capital Manama. People in the Mena region are being advised to stay indoors, especially babies and at-risk groups, and to avoid physical exercise. AFP
Children play outside during a sandstorm on Muharraq Island, north of the Bahraini capital Manama. People in the Mena region are being advised to stay indoors, especially babies and at-risk groups, and to avoid physical exercise. AFP
Cars on a highway in the Bahrain Financial Harbour area during a dust storm in the capital Manama. People in the Gulf are accustomed to frequent sand and dust storms and have attached the Arabic word “Shamal”, which means northern, to the phenomenon owing to the direction of the winds. AFP
Cars on a highway in the Bahrain Financial Harbour area during a dust storm in the capital Manama. People in the Gulf are accustomed to frequent sand and dust storms and have attached the Arabic word “Shamal”, which means northern, to the phenomenon owing to the direction of the winds. AFP
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is obscured by a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Winds have reached 40 kilometres an hour in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is obscured by a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Winds have reached 40 kilometres an hour in the capital. Victor Besa / The National
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is almost hidden by dust. Visibility was down to a few hundred metres in the city. Victor Besa / The National
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is almost hidden by dust. Visibility was down to a few hundred metres in the city. Victor Besa / The National
Jumeirah Lakes Towers in a hazy Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Jumeirah Lakes Towers in a hazy Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Strong winds stir up dust and sand in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Strong winds stir up dust and sand in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
The Kingdom Centre skyscraper in Riyadh during a dust storm. AFP
The Kingdom Centre skyscraper in Riyadh during a dust storm. AFP
The 302-metre building is almost obscured by dust. AFP
The 302-metre building is almost obscured by dust. AFP
Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Meteorology issued alerts for large parts of the kingdom, including Riyadh and the Eastern Province. AFP
Saudi Arabia's National Centre for Meteorology issued alerts for large parts of the kingdom, including Riyadh and the Eastern Province. AFP
A haze of dust covers Riyadh's skyline. AFP
A haze of dust covers Riyadh's skyline. AFP
Dust storms created hazardous conditions for drivers in Kuwait City, where winds reached 50kph. EPA
Dust storms created hazardous conditions for drivers in Kuwait City, where winds reached 50kph. EPA
A man waits to cross a road in Kuwait City as orange-red dust blows in the air. AFP
A man waits to cross a road in Kuwait City as orange-red dust blows in the air. AFP
Kuwait's Ministry of Interior urged the public to exercise caution as dust severely reduced visibility. AFP
Kuwait's Ministry of Interior urged the public to exercise caution as dust severely reduced visibility. AFP
Schools in Kuwait were closed owing to the weather. AFP
Schools in Kuwait were closed owing to the weather. AFP
Towers in Dubai Marina are hard to see through the dust. Pawan Singh / The National
Towers in Dubai Marina are hard to see through the dust. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai's Burj Al Arab hotel in the haze. Pawan Singh / The National
Dubai's Burj Al Arab hotel in the haze. Pawan Singh / The National
Beachgoers view a hazy skyline at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The conditions appear to be the tail of a storm that covered Iraq. Pawan Singh / The National
Beachgoers view a hazy skyline at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The conditions appear to be the tail of a storm that covered Iraq. Pawan Singh / The National
Cars drive on a highway in the Seef district during a dust storm in Bahrain's capital Manama. AFP
Cars drive on a highway in the Seef district during a dust storm in Bahrain's capital Manama. AFP
Cars drive on the main highway during a dust storm in the Bahraini capital Manama. AFP
Cars drive on the main highway during a dust storm in the Bahraini capital Manama. AFP
Haze obscures the dhow harbour in Doha, Qatar, during a heavy dust storm. AFP
Haze obscures the dhow harbour in Doha, Qatar, during a heavy dust storm. AFP
Haze obscures Doha's skyline. AFP
Haze obscures Doha's skyline. AFP
A man covers his face with a scarf in Doha during a heavy dust storm. AFP
A man covers his face with a scarf in Doha during a heavy dust storm. AFP
A sandstorm covers Tehran, Iran. Schools and government offices closed in the Iranian capital and elsewhere in the country. AP Photo
A sandstorm covers Tehran, Iran. Schools and government offices closed in the Iranian capital and elsewhere in the country. AP Photo
Iraqis walk along a street at the Shorja market shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad. EPA
Iraqis walk along a street at the Shorja market shrouded in heavy dust in central Baghdad. EPA
People with breathing problems are treated at a hospital during a sandstorm in Baghdad. AP Photo
People with breathing problems are treated at a hospital during a sandstorm in Baghdad. AP Photo
People travel along a street during a sandstorm in Baghdad. AP Photo
People travel along a street during a sandstorm in Baghdad. AP Photo
A patient suffering from breathing problems at a hospital in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province. AFP
A patient suffering from breathing problems at a hospital in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province. AFP
People walk on a street in Baghdad during a sandstorm. AP
People walk on a street in Baghdad during a sandstorm. AP
A man walks along the Euphrates river in Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province during a heavy dust storm. AFP
A man walks along the Euphrates river in Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province during a heavy dust storm. AFP
The dust has affected visibility at Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The dust has affected visibility at Abu Dhabi's Corniche. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Abu Dhabi city is difficult to see through the dust. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Abu Dhabi city is difficult to see through the dust. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The Marina Mall area in Abu Dhabi is obscured by the dust. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
The Marina Mall area in Abu Dhabi is obscured by the dust. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Adnoc headquarters in the capital amid the dust storm. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Adnoc headquarters in the capital amid the dust storm. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Qasr Al Watan is obscured by a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Qasr Al Watan is obscured by a haze of sand and dust in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Museum of the Future during the dust storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Museum of the Future during the dust storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Burj Khalifa obscured by the dusty and hazy weather in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Burj Khalifa obscured by the dusty and hazy weather in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Abras on Dubai creek during the dusty weather. Pawan Singh / The National
Abras on Dubai creek during the dusty weather. Pawan Singh / The National
EVIL%20DEAD%20RISE
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Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

While you're here
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

The%20specs
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Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding

Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.

Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.

Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.

For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae

 

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

While you're here
While you're here
On Women's Day
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Result

2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,950m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

2.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,800m; Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.

3.45pm: Handicap Dh115,000 1,950m; Winner: Conclusion, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.

4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,400m; Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,000m; Winner: Midlander, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: May 19, 2022, 1:50 PM`
PhotographyDubai