Dusty weather fails to dampen Eid festivities

DOHA: Dusty and windy weather failed to dampen Eid Al Fitr festivities here yesterday. However, authorities were forced to temporarily close the coastal road in Al Khor due to zero visibility.

On the whole, the dusty and windy weather did not dampen Eid revelry in Qatar as the first day of the festival was celebrated with fervour.

Low visibility at places led to a number of road accidents in different parts of the country. At least 10 traffic mishaps were reported in which three persons were injured, none of them serious.

Some 516 cases were reported to the emergency unit of HGH from right after morning Eid prayers until 6pm, and many of them were stomach upsets.

Some complained of chest pain and heart ailments. At least one expatriate was reported dead due to cardiac arrest, said doctors at the emergency unit.

Cases of stomach upset that are quite common at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, were mainly caused by a sudden and heavy intake of sweet and fatty food.

At the various children’s hospitals of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), some 900 cases were reported during daytime. At least 90 percent of the cases related to stomach flu while some children complained of respiratory problems. 

The Weather Bureau has forecast hot, windy and dusty conditions today and said visibility will be down to 2km and less at places.

THE PENINSULA, Photo by Penny Yi Wang