14 DAY TRIAL // A massive sandstorm hit Iran’s capital city of Tehran on Monday leaving at least four people dead and around 30 injured. Powerful winds accompanied the storm, causing massive disruption in the city.
Eyewitnesses said that a giant cloud of sand enveloped Tehran at around 5 p.m., the sky turned orange from thick dust and the heavy storm roared into the city with wind gusts of up to 110 kilometers per hour (70 mph).
The unpredictable tempest caused havoc in the Iranian capital, damaging buildings, sweeping debris across the streets and knocking down trees. Moreover, parts of the city were left in darkness, as the harsh weather also caused temporary power outages. Internet and telephone services were affected, as well.
Given that the storm struck at a rush hour in the afternoon when people were heading home, a series of traffic crashes were also reported. Low visibility caused a multiple-vehicle collision involving 20 cars on a highway in the southern part of Tehran. International flights at the airport were canceled as well.
Officials warned residents about the poor weather condition, and advised children, the elderly, and those with heart problems to remain indoors. They also mentioned that the fatalities and most of the injuries were caused by falling trees and signs.
According to Yahoo News, the sandstorm lasted for about 15 minutes before giving away to rain and strong winds, and the temperature plunged from 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) to 18 degrees (64 Fahrenheit) in minutes.
Ahad Vazifeh, who is in charge of government weather forecasts, advised that the poor weather condition will continue until Wednesday.
One shopkeeper in Tehran told AP news agency after the storm appeared to ease, “It was a horrifying storm and suddenly everywhere went dark. I closed my store's shutters to prevent damage. [A] big tree broke and knocked in the windows, shattering them.”
“I've never seen anything like this. I was afraid it was an omen of things to come,” another person told reporters.
Massive sandstorms like this are rare in Tehran, as they usually form in more arid regions. Dust storms arise when a gust front or other strong wind blows loose sand and dirt from a dry surface. It has been argued that recently, poor management of the Earth's drylands is increasing dust storms size and frequency from desert margins and changing both the local and global climate.
Photos posted by locals on social media show the extent of the sudden storm that hit the Iranian capital, and there is also a video showing the eerie atmosphere created by the cloud of sand.
