Sandstorms hit Saudi Arabia's western region

Jeddah port near Al-Balad area. (Photo courtesy: social media)

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defense said sandstorms had severely restricted visibility in various areas of Makkah province on Monday, including Jeddah, Makkah, Bahra, and Al-Jamoum, as well as neighboring parts of the region.
"There is a near-total lack of horizontal visibility all over Jeddah,” the National Center for Security Operations tweeted.
The authorities urged caution, particularly while driving, and stressed that residents of the affected areas should avoid lingering near scaffolding, lampposts, umbrellas, trees, billboards and construction work.
The Presidency of Meteorology and the Environment expected the sandstorms to subside by 4 p.m. on Monday.
Meanwhile, Jeddah Islamic Port tweeted saying that the navigation movement stopped at 11:30 a.m. "due to the increased speed of southeast winds which exceeded 36 knots, and the lack of horizontal vision visibility."