Asthmatics and people suffering from dust allergies were rushing out to buy protective clothing and equipment yesterday (April 2) as Wednesday night's sandstorm persisted into the day.

Pharmacies across Bahrain told the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication, that they had witnessed a surge in demand for dust masks in particular as well as nebulisers, which are used to deliver high doses of asthma relief medication in an emergency.

The GDN reported yesterday on the violent sandstorm that hit Bahrain, which drastically reduced the visibility and caused difficulties for both motorists and seagoers.

"The demand was more for dust protection masks and there were a good number of people who were asking for nebulisers as well," said a pharmacist at Ruyan Pharmacy on the Budaiya Highway.

"It is usual that people purchase dust masks whenever the weather turns dusty, but this time there was massive amounts of them and there was high demand for asthma medications as well."

A pharmacist at Nasser Pharmacy in Zinj said that customers were buying up to 10 dust masks at a time.

"We have two kinds of masks - the loop masks and the ones used for operation, but for weather conditions people use the loop masks," she said.

"By around 9pm on Wednesday, we started experiencing a rush for masks that lasted for less than an hour."

People also came during the day yesterday to purchase masks, she said, which cost 100 fils ($0.26) a piece.

Meanwhile, doctors in private hospitals confirmed a rise in cases related to dust allergies and asthma being reported.

Al Hilal Hospital in Muharraq recorded nine cases of weather-related breathing difficulties and 23 other minor cases from Wednesday until yesterday afternoon.

"This was the first sandstorm of its kind that I experienced in my eight years in Bahrain," said Al Hilal Hospital chief executive Dr Sai Giridhar.

"What we noticed is that the dust was dense and heavily penetrating, which obviously will affect the respiratory system.

"Due to the wind storm the dust had settled in the eyes of many, who complained of severe eye burning.

"There were also complaints of chest pain, which rose from the dust deposited in the lungs after inhalation.

"People are advised to use a medical grade protection mask and if possible to avoid moving around in the open until the dust subsides."

Kims Bahrain Medical Centre and Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Centre also reported a rise in dust allergy cases.

The Health Ministry could not be reached for comment on the situation in public health centres or Salmaniya Medical Complex.

Bahrain Airport Company confirmed that all operations had returned to normal, although some flights initially had to be rescheduled.

Bahrain Meteorological Directorate director Adel Daham said yesterday that the storm was gradually beginning to fade away.

"The incoming low atmospheric pressure from the Mediterranean towards the northern areas of the Arabian Peninsula and the Arab Gulf region brought the sandstorm to this region," he said.

"The weather is expected to become generally fine in the next few days with northwesterly active to mild winds and lesser wind speeds by Saturday next week.

"However, northwesterly directional winds may become active on Monday, and may even turn into strong, high-speed winds associated with rising sand."

The Education Ministry in a statement said that attendance of staff and students in public schools was normal and examinations went on as scheduled.

But the bad weather did force The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa to postpone its Flower Power Party, which was scheduled to be held last night on the beach facing the hotel's Overlook Cafe. - TradeArabia News Service