This is the terrifying moment workers watched as a sandstorm blew through buildings in a city in Kuwait.

Onlookers captured the moment the storm rolled into Sabah Al Salem on May 23 afternoon. Timelapse footage shows a huge pall of dust obscuring the sky and blanketing the city in an apocalyptic orange haze.

The weather phenomenon severely reduced visibility on roads and led to the cancellation of all flights at the Kuwait International Airport on Monday.

Heavy sandstorms have also hit other Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq in recent months. Health authorities have warned of possible respiratory problems caused by the choking dust particles in the air.

Sandstorms, also called dust storms, are caused by a combination of drought and strong winds. The gusts blow across dry surfaces and whip up dust and dirt in the air which forms dense clouds.