Powerful dust storm hits Iran, causing near zero visibility and injuring 99 people
Image credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
A powerful dust storm swept over eastern Iran on Monday, May 28, 2018, causing near zero visibility and injuring at least 99 people.
The storm, caused by a strong upper-level storm system with winds gusts up to 112 km/h (70 mph), lasted around 12 hours. It affected eastern Iran, southwestern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan.
Local media reported at least 99 people were injured in Iran alone.
Dust storm over eastern Iran, southwestern Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan on May 28, 2018. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS
While dust storms are common in the region, a 12-hour event is rare, AccuWeather's senior meteorologist Eric Leister said.
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
