Two flights from Kuwaiti airline Al Jazeera were yesterday (May 3) diverted to Bahrain because of dust haze and heavy wind in Kuwait City.

However, there was no disruption to inbound and outbound flights from Bahrain International Airport due to dusty winds in the country that reached up to 35 knots as Bahrain was the least affected among GCC countries, said sources.

'Bahrain doesn't face any real problems in the dusty weather due to its nature of being archipelago as it waters absorb dust, which makes flight possible,' added the sources.

'Bahrain was also the least affected by the weather and inbound and outbound flights were as normal as any regular day.'

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry urged people, especially those suffering from respiratory diseases and asthma, to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the dangers of dust.

Ministry health support programmes chief Dr Kawther Al Eid said that during sandstorms the air becomes saturated with dust particles that attach to the body either through inhalation or by touch.

'Research have proved that dust particles can carry the most dangerous bacteria and microscopic organisms into the body that may further affect those suffering from respiratory diseases and asthma,' she explained.

'Healthy people may feel sick for two days after inhaling (dust) and most of the illnesses are related to breathing and the eyes, which require less exposure to dust particles.'

Dr Al Eid urged people with breathing difficulties to follow up with doctors and stay indoors for the next few days.

'Using masks or water-soaked towels or tissues on the nose and mouth is beneficial when working in the dust. Washing the face, mouth and nose regularly will also ensure that less dust enters the respiratory system.

'Drinking more water, properly closing doors and windows with water-soaked towels means that less dust manages to enter.' – TradeArabia News Service