Ibrahim Khazen and Rania Abu Shamala
01 May 2025•Update: 01 May 2025
CAIRO / ISTANBUL
A wide-reaching dust storm driven by a seasonal khamsin low-pressure system swept across nine Arab countries Wednesday, deepening the crisis in Gaza and prompting alerts across the region.
Gaza, already facing a second year of genocide under Israeli bombardment and blockade, saw displaced families suffer new blows as tents were torn apart by wind and thick dust choked overcrowded camps.
The storm, reported in Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, led to school closures, suspended exams, and safety warnings in several countries, Anadolu correspondents reported.
Khamsin storms — named after the Arabic word for “fifty” — commonly occur about 50 days after the start of spring and are associated with high winds and airborne sand.
Gaza: Storms adds to humanitarian crisis
Palestinian media said high winds uprooted tents in Gaza City, sending debris flying through densely populated displacement zones.
Videos shared online showed darkened skies and swirling dust as families scrambled to protect what shelter remained. Gaza remains under Israeli siege, with mass displacement and famine worsening daily.
Palestine’s Meteorological Department issued warnings for fire hazards in dry grass areas and urged respiratory patients to remain indoors. Conditions were described as hot, dry, and dusty, with temperatures 10–12C (50-54F) above seasonal norms and strong southeasterly winds. The sea remained calm.
Jordan: Highway warnings, rising heat
Jordan’s Public Security Directorate cautioned drivers about reduced visibility, especially along desert roads. It advised residents with respiratory illnesses to stay indoors and keep medication nearby.
Temperatures rose 8-9C (46-48F) above average, and wind speeds of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour were recorded. Some western areas saw light rain and thunder, while visibility dropped sharply into the night.
Egypt: Sandstorms and nationwide school closures
Egypt’s Meteorological Authority confirmed sandstorms hit Assiut and Minya, with dusty weather extending into Suez. Satellite imagery showed weakening winds over Cairo as the system moved toward Sinai.
Wind gusts topped 60 km/h (37 mph), disrupting visibility. Rain was reported along the northwestern coast. The Education and Local Development ministries closed schools and delayed exams nationwide as authorities raised alert levels.
Syria: Night winds exceed 50 km/h
Syria’s Meteorological Department said a surface-level khamsin system had raised temperatures across the country. Coastal regions saw rain showers and nighttime winds topping 50 km/h (31 mph).
Lebanon: High temperatures, lightning risks
Lebanon reported 8C (46F) above-average heat, dusty conditions, and winds reaching 70 km/h (43 mph). Rough seas and scattered thunderstorms with lightning were forecast overnight.
Iraq: Heat and dust to persist
Iraq’s Meteorological Authority forecast continued heat and dust storms through next week, according to state media.
Kuwait: Dust and thunder warnings
Kuwait’s weather service issued alerts on X warning of dust storms and scattered thunderstorms across the country.
Qatar: Suspended dust, shifting skies
Qatar’s Meteorology Department said suspended dust and partly cloudy skies would continue, with light to moderate winds from northwest to northeast.
Saudi Arabia: Flash flood, hail, and dust alerts
Saudi Arabia’s National Meteorology Center issued yellow alerts for Dammam, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province due to reduced visibility from dust. Orange alerts warned of strong winds, hail, flash floods and lightning in Mecca and surrounding regions.
