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Sandstorm plunges UAE into traffic chaos

Xinhua, April 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

An intense sandstorm hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf states on Thursday, disrupting traffic and delaying flights.

The sandstorm caused 135 minor to moderate traffic accidents in Dubai, WAM news agency quoted Dubai Police's Control and Command Centre as saying, adding that emergency services received 1,639 calls between 06:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) and 12:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT).

Brigadier Omar Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of Drivers Directorate, urged motorists to exercise utmost caution while driving in bad weather conditions with low visibility, the report added.

Fuelled by strong winds, the sandstorm reduced visibility to less than 500 meters and snarled traffic in Abu Dhabi.

The hazy weather conditions are expected to continue through Friday, according to UAE's National Center of Meteorology and Seismology.

Flight operations at Dubai and Al-Maktoum international airports were also partially disrupted by the sandstorm.

The sandstorm was caused by a high pressure front from Saudi Arabia, which along with Qatar, has shut many of its schools in several parts of the country, citing "extreme weather conditions."

Flight delays also occurred in many other Gulf countries due to reduced visibility. Endit