Viral videos emerging from social media show parts of Saudi Arabia experiencing an intense sandstorm which engulfed cities and towns in the Kingdom and forcing authorities to issue a weather warning.
sandstorm today Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/MV4tnHGY9P
— Tabassum Shoaib Nathoka (@ShuaibTabassum) March 12, 2021
The dust storm swept the northern region of the country, including Al Jawf, the capital Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, as well as eastern parts of Mecca and Medina, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
رياح شديدة وموجات غبار كثيفة على #جبة شمال #حائل أدت إلى سقوط اعمدة الإنارة والكهرباء.
عبر:
عبد الرحمن العلي pic.twitter.com/FxShVuQpmk— العربية الطقس (@AlArabiya_Taqs) March 12, 2021
Videos showed downed power lines and streets barely visible to adventurous drivers who took to the roads to capture the natural phenomenon.
Saudi Arabia #Sandstorm pic.twitter.com/BAenP6EYhz
— 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕣𝕪 (@ThierryJFT) March 13, 2021
The Saudi Civil Defense urged the public to take precautions as sandstorms swept most of the Kingdom. In a statement, authorities urged people to stay at home, especially those with respiratory illnesses. It also warned drivers to be cautious when driving near lamp posts, electricity poles, and billboards on the street.