A huge dust storm blew over Bahrain yesterday causing more than 200 people to seek medical treatment.

Doctors at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) were bombarded with cases throughout the day as asthma patients and the elderly struggled to cope with the high levels of dust in the air, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

The storm also adversely affected driving conditions as a thick blanket of dust settled over the country.

Traffic police told the GDN that 80 accidents had been reported from 6am to 4pm, far higher than the rate on an average day.

However, no major delays were reported at Bahrain International Airport - with most flights departing on time despite visibility falling to as low as 600 metres in some areas because of Shamal winds from the north-west, according to a Civil Aviation Affairs meteorology affairs official.

The Meteorological Directorate has cautioned that the dust haze is set to continue today, with strong winds possible.

The Coastguard has also urged seafarers to be on their guard because of high winds and dust. - TradeArabia News Service