An unexpected sandstorm struck the Gulf yesterday, reducing visibility on the roads and streets for several metres in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Kuwait was the most affected area with oil refineries and the Kuwait International Airport stopping operations temporarily until the storm had cleared.
The oil-rich Gulf emirate of Kuwait suspended its oil exploration and exports, state-owned Kuwaiti Petroleum Corporation said in a statement yesterday.
The Kuwaiti International Airport was also shut down around 6 p.m. ( 1500 GMT). Visibility was reduced to several meters in some areas.
