A massive sandstorm hit Ankara, Turkey, on Saturday, September 12, 2020, leaving at least six people injured. Meteorological authorities said the phenomenon likely occurred due to the lack of rain in the area.
Footage captured the huge cloud of dust as it slowly ripped through its path, turning day skies dark. The storm hit the district of Polatli first, before engulfing the entire city.
According to Polatli mayor Mursel Yildizkaya, the whole district was covered in dust. Lightning strikes triggered small-scale fires in some areas, but the blazes were eventually contained.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Ankara governor Vasip Sahin said six people sustained minor injuries after being hit by "flying debris", initial reports showed.
Sahin added that aside from this, there are no immediate reports of loss of life or property damage.
Regional meteorological authorities stated that the sandstorm was probably due to the lack of rain in the area.
The weather closes in as a sandstorm sweeps over Polatli, in Ankara in Turkey [DHA/AFP] pic.twitter.com/hXHKOGuzbg
— Al Jazeera Weather (@AJEWeather) September 14, 2020
Huge dust cloud envelops building as it sweeps over Turkey's capital Ankara on Saturday. Six people were injured in the freak sandstorm. pic.twitter.com/xQj443fuON
— China News 中国新闻网 (@Echinanews) September 14, 2020
Featured image credit: Infotainment/YouTube
Yakutia sees longest cold spell in 14 years as Siberia quivers through abnormally harsh temperatures
January 19, 2021
The Siberian region of Yakutia has shivered through its longest cold spell in 14 years, with temperatures plunging below -40 °C (-40 °F) during the middle of December 2020. The area is currently in the grip of an abnormally long period of harsh cold that is...
Heavy snowfall causes massive pileup of 130 vehicles in northeastern Japan
January 19, 2021
At least one person died while 10 others sustained injuries as heavy snowfall blanketed wide areas of northeastern Japan, resulting in a multiple-vehicular accident on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. More than 130 vehicles and some 200 people were involved in the pileup...
Heavy snow leaves 7 000 households without power across Sweden and Finland
January 15, 2021
Around 4 000 households were left without electricity supply in Finland and another 3 000 in Sweden on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, after heavy snowfall struck the region. In Sweden, about 3 000 homes were affected by power outages, according to Eon, noting that...
M6.1 earthquake hits off the coast of Isangel, Vanuatu
January 08, 2021
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit off the coast of Isangel, Vanuatu at 05:01 UTC on January 8, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 117 km (72 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 120 km (75 miles). The epicenter was located 147 km...
M6.3 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands, New Zealand
January 08, 2021
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand at 00:28 UTC on January 8, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 224 km (139 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 182 km (113 miles). This is the second M6+...
