Footage has emerged of a dust cloud engulfing Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, turning the sky from a bright blue to completely grey. The time-lapse video shows the wall of dust creep its way towards the capital, eventually covering the whole city. Visibility also becomes worse as Riyadh is completely covered by the dust cloud. Saudi Arabia meteorologists warned on Wednesday that thunder and dust storms will hit Makkah and other areas overnight.
The General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection issued a warning to residents that the storm would last from early evening until 1am local time.
Makkah’s Department of Civil Defence cautioned citizens to avoid areas near lakes and valleys in mountainous regions.
Riyadh’s dust cloud comes just days after a red dust storm covered Dubbo in New South Wales, Australia.
The storm was caused by dry soil being whipped up by strong winds during the afternoon of New Year’s Eve.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology also issued a severe weather warning for the area.
ABC Western Plains breakfast presenter Jen Browning saw the dust cloud rolls in while visiting her friend.
She said: “As we drove back to the homestead the dust clouds started to catch up and by the time we got home we literally had two minutes to bring the dog inside before it hit.
“The pictures are spectacular but it still breaks your heart knowing that’s someone’s top soil off their farms blowing away.”
The Ministry of Health for New South Wales (NSW), Australia, issued a severe warning as the orange dust storm could be potentially dangerous for anyone.
NSW director of environmental health Dr Richard Broome said: “I think it’s important for the rest of the day people are cautious.”
NSW Ambulance assistant commissioner Tony Gately told The Sydney Morning Herald: “So far today we have responded to around 90 cases of asthma or breathing difficulties right across Sydney, which is a significant peak.
“Conditions like asthma can be deadly and to take risks in the current conditions would be very ill-advised.”