Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) yesterday advised the public to take necessary precautions as the Qatar Meteorology Department had forecast strong winds and poor visibility across most of the country.
“Dust can trigger sinus allergies and respiratory infections, especially in those with chronic diseases,” HMC tweeted.
On its part, the Met department too issued an advisory on social media yesterday, highlighting the safety precautions that need to be followed during dusty conditions.
People should avoid direct contact with dust, the advisory states, adding that they should wash their face, nose and mouth regularly. Also, they should wear a mask as a precautionary measure, and avoid rubbing their eyes.
Northwesterly fresh to strong winds locally called AlBawarih, dusty conditions and low visibility would prevail in the country from July 5 until early next week, the Met department had said in a recent report.
In line with this forecast, windy conditions were reported from different places in the country yesterday, and the trend is likely to continue today as well.
According to the report, the northwesterly winds are expected to affect most places in the country in the above-mentioned period, especially during the daytime. The wind speed will range from 12-22 knots, going up to 30 knots in some areas at times during the day.
This, in turn, will result in blowing dust and low visibility of below 3km in some areas, the forecast states.
In addition, the wave height is expected to rise, ranging from 5-7ft and reaching a high of 9ft in some offshore areas.
The temperatures are likely to be around the average levels for this time of the year with a slight increase in some places, as the maximum will range between 41C and 47C across the country and the minimum between 29C and 34C at night.
The Met department has advised people to be cautious, noting that they should avoid going to sea and being exposed to direct sunlight in view of the expected conditions. They should follow latest updates through the department’s official social media accounts.
Meanwhile, today’s detailed forecast says strong winds are expected in most places around the country during the daytime. Windy conditions are also likely offshore along with high seas.
The wind speed will be 12-22 knots, going up to 28 knots in both inshore and offshore areas today, with the sea level rising to 9ft.
A hot daytime is also expected today with slight to blowing dust in most areas, according to the Met department.
The maximum temperature is expected to be 46C today in Wakrah and Mesaieed, 45C in Doha and 43C in Al Khor. Yesterday, a maximum of 45C was recorded in Mesaieed, followed by 44C in Doha (airport area), the Qatar University area, Abu Hamour and Turayna, 43C in Al Khor and Batna, 42C in Wakrah, Sheehaniyah and Karana, 41C in Jumayliyah and Ghuwairiyah, and 40C in the Hamad International Airport area.
For offshore areas, the forecast says dusty conditions are expected at times.
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