A sandstorm engulfs a town in Turkey on Saturday afternoon (September 12th).

The terrifying phenomenon swept through Polatlı in the Ankara province, obscuring the afternoon sun and leaving an orange haze.

Footage shows trees in a resident's orchard garden being blown as sand and dust engulfs the area.

He said: ''Everywhere turned down and visibility was down to 50 metres. The situation was very bad in our garden. It was terrifying.''

Elsewhere in the town, panic-stricken residents were heard choking and spluttering as the monstrous sandstorm filled the air shortly after 3 pm local time.

Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin said that several people were injured during the freak weather phenomenon.

Sandstorms are caused when earth particles become loosely held mainly due to prolonged drought or arid conditions.

Strong winds then whip up the surface dirt and sand while carrying it in terrifying wave-like clouds that engulf the area and reduce visibility.

A sandstorm engulfs a town in Turkey on Saturday afternoon (September 12).

The terrifying phenomenon swept through Polatlı in the Ankara province, obscuring the afternoon sun and leaving an orange haze.

Footage shows trees in a resident's orchard garden being blown as sand and dust engulfs the area.

He said: ''Everywhere turned down and visibility was down to 50 metres. The situation was very bad in our garden. It was terrifying.''

Elsewhere in the town, panic-stricken residents ww heard choking and spluttering as the monstrous sandstorm filed the air shortly after 3pm local time.

Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin said that several people were injured during the freak weather phenomenon.

Sandstorms are caused when earth particles become loosely held mainly due to a prolonged drought or arid conditions.

Strong winds then whip up the surface dirt and sand while carrying it in terrifying wave-like clouds that engulf the area and reduce visibility.