This is the dramatic moment a massive dust storm avalanche swallowed homes in Saudi Arabia.

Terrifying footage shows a towering cloud of debris barreling towards houses in Dawadmi, Riyadh, on May 4.

The storm appears to surge directly at the vehicle from which the video was filmed, engulfing everything in its path.

Authorities have issued red alerts across parts of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan in response to the freak weather, which has disrupted travel and prompted emergency evacuations.

The Saudi National Centre for Meteorology has urged residents to stay alert, minimise travel, and avoid open areas, warning that sandstorms will likely persist through midweek.

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.