Saeed Haider

Saudi Gazette

 

DAMMAM — A severe sandstorm hit the Eastern Province Wednesday night, uprooting trees, damaging cars and breaking windowpanes of old buildings.



The storm disturbed normal life as it created havoc in the cities of Dammam, Dhahran, Al-Khobar, Qatif and Jubail.



Near zero visibility and strong winds disrupted air traffic at King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam. In all, 11 flights were affected, out of which three were diverted to Bahrain, while a Lufthansa flight canceled its onward trip to Dammam from Kuwait. Seven flights departing from KFIA were delayed.



Many senior residents said this was the worst ever sandstorm to hit the region in recent years.



According to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), at the peak of the storm around 9.15 p.m. visibility was reduced to near zero, sending the city traffic into total chaos.



The strong wind blowing at a speed of 50 kmph uprooted many trees, blocking the streets.



On Dammam-Al-Khobar Highway, the traffic, though thin due to late hours, was moving at a snail's pace. Many motorists with their hazard lights on preferred to park their vehicles along the roadside.



In old areas of Dammam and Al-Khobar, many dilapidated houses were damaged. In one house in the Etisalat district of Dammam, the water tank installed on the rooftop came down. Fortunately, no one was hurt.



The Civil Defense raised alert and officers were deployed in all vulnerable areas.



A few minor road accidents were reported in Dammam and Al-Khobar, but no one was injured.



Markets in Dammam and Al-Khobar wore deserted as the storm started building up from 8 p.m. People, sensing that strong winds might take the shape of a storm, rushed back to their homes. Those living in far-flung areas were stuck on the highway.



Although schools were open Thursday, attendance was very thin. Municipal officials worked on a war footing Thursday morning to clear debris strewn all along the main streets and mini dunes blocking traffic.



Though the storm has died down by morning, the twin cities of Dammam and Al-Khobar were enveloped in dust Thursday afternoon. Visibility was almost normal but it was still hazy with wind blowing at 14 kmph.