A dust storm whipped through parts of Jeddah yesterday, reducing visibility through most of the day and snarling traffic on already congested streets.
The unexpected weather beginning in the early afternoon hampered city streets and the Makkah-Madinah highway.
Schools and businesses operated normally, although motorists followed cautious routes while commuting to work and preparing for the weekend. Temperatures remained normal with the minimum at 23 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 35 degree Celsius.
Humidity was 85 percent, according to Presidency of Metrology and Environment.
The PME forecast that winds were to continue through late Wednesday in parts of Western region, and were expected to die down today.
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Dust storm blankets Jeddah
Dust storm blankets Jeddah
Haramain high-speed train preparation for Ramadan
- 1.7m passengers expected during holy month
- 20 new trains bought for full delivery by 2031
RIYADH: The Haramain High-Speed Railway has been prepared to operate more than 3,662 trips for more than 1.7 million passengers this Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
Saudi Arabia Railways said it has completed its operational preparations to increase the capacity for travel between Makkah and Madinah.
The SAR noted that the plan for this season includes more than 100 daily trips that would align with prayer times and the movement of Umrah pilgrims.
The company recently announced the purchase of 20 new trains from the Spanish company Talgo to further increase capacity, for delivery between 2028 and 2031.
The SAR stressed that the improvements are in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics.
The Haramain High-Speed Railway operates some of the world’s fastest passenger trains, which travel up to 300 kph.
It connects Makkah and Madinah via Jeddah and King Abdullah Economic City along a 453-km railway line.
Construction began in 2009 and operations in 2018.
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