Sand storms covers Qatar

For the first time in my life, i have seen a real Sand Storm! Though not so big, a small sand storm covered Qatar today. I would love to share two pics here..Both are of same place, Al-corniche, which can be seen directly from my flat. First picture was taken yesterday, almost around same time. Second one shows how sand storm has reduced visibility. You can see the difference very clear!!. Those big buildings in the first pic has got completely disappeared in the second one, except one mosque minar.
View of Al-corniche, yesterday evening same time

 

View of Al-corniche Today, after sand storm

 

Let me share some information about Sand storms. A dust storm or sandstorm is a meteorological phenomenon common in arid and semi-arid regions. Dust storms arise when a gust front blows loose sand and dust from a dry surface. Particles are transported by saltation and suspension, causing soil erosion from one place and deposition in another. The Sahara and drylands around the Arabian peninsula are the main source of airborne dust, with some contributions from Iran, Pakistan and India into the Arabian Sea, and China's storms deposit dust in the Pacific. It has been argued that recently, poor management of the Earth's dry lands, such as neglecting the fallow system, are increasing dust storms from desert margins and changing both the local and global climate, and also impacting local economies.

[Courtesy :Wikipedia   For more info visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_storm]