Sandstorm shocks residents of Ar Rass, Saudi Arabia

The city of Ar Rass was hit by a massive sandstorm on Wednesday, covering the sky with a dense orange cloud and drastically reducing visibility across the region.

Images shared on social media show deserted streets, vehicles covered in sand and a suffocating atmosphere caused by the force of the winds that pushed tons of dust from the desert into the urban center.

Local authorities issued emergency alerts and recommended that residents remain indoors, especially children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems. So far, there have been no reports of injuries, but emergency services remain on standby.

Meteorologists explained that the phenomenon was caused by strong seasonal winds and that the storm is expected to move eastward in the next few hours. Residents have been advised to wear protective masks if they need to go out.