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
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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 -
Hundreds of Iraqis with respiratory problems were admitted to hospital as a result of the sandstorm. AP -
Authorities urged Iraqis to stay indoors. AP -
Flights were suspended for several hours on Thursday. 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 -
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 -
Dust fills the air during a sandstorm in Baghdad. AFP -
A deserted road during a spring sandstorm in Baghdad. 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 -
Drivers were forced to slow down in Nasiriyah. AFP -
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 -
Sandstorms often lead to all flights from Baghdad being cancelled. 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 -
The sandstorm turns the Baghdad sky orange. Reuters
