From Saudi Arabia to Iraq and Kuwait to Iran, sandstorms have been blanketing the Middle East, causing delays to flights, school closures and thousands to be admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties.
The severe weather caused by the strong winds, known as Shamal winds in the Gulf, has led many governments to take proactive measures. These follow warnings from experts that climate change could worsen and lead to more severe weather events in the coming years.
In the UAE, a countrywide weather alert was issued on Wednesday with forecasts of sandstorms and dusty, windy weather. The warning came a day after a dust storm blanketed Abu Dhabi, reducing visibility to only a few hundred metres across the city and causing a major drop in air quality, according to the Air Quality Index.
In Saudi Arabia, about 1,285 people were admitted to hospitals in Riyadh in one day suffering from respiratory problems as a result of the sandstorm.
Iraq experienced the brunt of the storms this week when its eighth dust storm since mid-April descended on Monday. At least 4,000 people were treated at hospitals for breathing problems and the storm has led to the closure of airports, schools and public offices across the country.
Why do Gulf Arabs call dust storms 'Shamal winds'?
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.
Are increasing temperatures causing sandstorms?
While the exact causes of sand and dust storms are not yet fully known by scientists, many experts point to a correlation with deforestation and desertification to explain why more of these storms have become more frequent in recent years.
Banafsheh Keynoush, a non-resident scholar with the Middle East Institute’s Iran Programme, said sand and dust storms often originated in countries with limited vegetation, where there were fewer barriers to strong winds.
“SDSs hit vegetation-poor Kuwait more than three months a year. In comparison, SDSs affect Bahrain 5.6 per cent of the year, Qatar 7.1 per cent and Abu Dhabi 3.9 per cent. Winds in Kuwait carrying sand and dust can also reach 93-109 km per hour, reducing visibility to almost zero,” Ms Keynoush said.
Is water mismanagement in Iran and Iraq to blame?
Experts in the region who have followed the sand and dust storms over the years have said mismanagement of water resources in countries such as Iran and Iraq, where rivers have dried up, has caused an increase in the frequency of such storms hitting the region.
Enric Terradellas, a meteorologist with the World Meteorology Organisation's sand and dust storm prediction centre, told the BBC that the increased frequency of sand storms was directly related to a decrease in the flow of rivers in Iraq and Iran owing to the construction of dams.
“One of the main sources of sand and dust storms is Iraq, where the flow of rivers has decreased because of a race in dam constructions in upstream countries,” Mr Terradellas said.
“That has led to the disappearance of marshes and drying up of lakes both in Iraq and Iran, and the sediments left behind are very important sources of dust in the region.”
What are the effects of dust storms and are there benefits?
While dust storms have affected health and economies in the region, some experts also say the sand and dust storms carry nutrients from the Sahara.
“In this region, we encounter dust storms frequently and people usually associate dust with cars covered with dirt or reduced visibility,” said Cecile Guieu, a visiting scientist at New York University Abu Dhabi’s Centre for Prototype Climate Modelling.
“Dust contains nutrients and these small particles have a very positive impact for microscopic plant-like organisms called phytoplankton that live in the ocean.”
What are governments doing to change it?
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said $13 billion is lost each year across the region due to dust storms.
To counter that, he announced the Green Saudi Initiative and Green Middle East Initiative last March to reduce carbon emissions by 60 per cent in the region and plant 50 billion trees in the world’s biggest afforestation project.
In the UAE, there has been investment in new technology to help the country to better equip itself for potential dust storms after Masdar Institute of Science and Technology announced the launch of its real-time dust storm forecasting system in 2016.
“This is a turning point in the region’s ability to properly manage the impacts of dust storms. With access to an accurate forecast of dust events and sandstorms, people can better prepare for them,” Dr Hosni Ghedira, director of the Research Centre for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment and professor of practice at Masdar Institute, said at the time.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
Du Plessis plans his retirement
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said on Friday the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia in two years' time will be his last.
Du Plessis, 34, who has led his country in two World T20 campaigns, in 2014 and 2016, is keen to play a third but will then step aside.
"The T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I'm really looking forward to. I think right now that will probably be the last tournament for me," he said in Brisbane ahead of a one-off T20 against Australia on Saturday.
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:
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2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
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- 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
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- 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
- 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
- 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
- 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
- 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
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