Riyadh, MINA – A massive sandstorm hit Riyadh and its surrounding areas on Thursday, reducing visibility and disrupting daily activities. Authorities have issued warnings, urging residents to stay indoors and take necessary precautions against the extreme weather.
The Saudi Highway Patrol has advised motorists to drive carefully due to low visibility, while the General Directorate of Civil Defense has urged people to avoid traveling through dusty and sandy areas to prevent accidents.
According to the National Meteorology Center, the storm is expected to spread to other regions across Saudi Arabia, bringing strong winds, dust storms, and heavy rain, with the possibility of hail in Al-Baha, Makkah, Madinah, Hail, Qassim, Riyadh, Al-Jouf, and the Eastern and Northern Border regions.
Meanwhile, Jazan, Aseer, and Tabuk may experience rain and even snowfall in some areas.
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Over Red Sea waters, winds are expected to blow from the northwest to north at speeds of 15–50 km/h in the northern and central parts, while southwest to southeast winds at 20–42 km/h will dominate the southern region. Wave heights may range from 0.5 to over 2 meters, with calm to rough sea conditions.
In the Arabian Gulf, east-to-northeast winds may reach speeds of 20–50 km/h, with waves between one and over two meters, resulting in moderate to rough sea conditions.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge the public to follow official safety instructions to avoid potential risks caused by the ongoing sandstorm. []
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
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