A severe sandstorm left Damman, Saudi Arabia, shrouded in darkness on April 14 as visibility was reduced.

Video Credit: @saleh_aljathnan

Dammam, Saudi Arabia | April 14, 2025
A powerful dust storm swept through Dammam on April 14, drastically reducing visibility and impacting daily life across the Eastern Province. A striking video posted by @saleh_aljathnan captures the intensity of the storm, showing a McDonald’s sign barely visible through the dense clouds of dust.
As the storm hit, social media posts, including hashtags about school closures and regional disruption, quickly began trending. Alongside the video, Al-Jathnan shared a traditional Arabic prayer asking for protection from the storm’s harm—a cultural practice deeply rooted in the region, where invoking divine protection during natural events is common.
Visibility was reduced to nearly zero, consistent with historical patterns. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Atmospheric Sciences highlighted Dammam’s vulnerability due to its proximity to the Arabian Desert, often experiencing visibility drops below 100 meters during peak dust storm activity.
Dust storms are a recurring challenge in Saudi Arabia, with previous events similarly impacting transportation, education, and health services—as documented in a 2019 Saudi Gazette report.