That’s the view of Jumeirah Lake Towers from Dubai Marina when the sandstorm hit us two days ago. Gale-force shamaal winds brought sand in from the desert and cloaked the country in bad visibility and choking dust.

Burj al Arab was a ghostly shape emerging from the murky air and people who had to be out in it found breathing difficult.

The hot shamaal was coming in from the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia, gusting up to gale force and pushing temperature suddenly up by 10C to 38C (100F).

The winds brought down construction fences around Dubai Marina, blew rubbish around and generally caused disruption and danger.

Several flights at Dubai International Airport were affected because visibility was down to less than 500 metres. Driving was difficult and naturally there was an increase in accidents – Dubai drivers are not known for adjusting their driving to suit the conditions!

Yesterday we had rain, heavy in parts of the country such as Al Ain, and today the wind has changed direction so the dust is settling.

I tried to walk along the beach this morning but was getting sand-blasted so I quickly gave up!