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PIX: Sandstorm in West Asia leaves Mumbai, Gujarat in dust

Last updated on: March 21, 2012 19:58 IST
On March 20, 2012, a giant dust plume stretched across the Arabian Sea from the coast of Oman to India. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Aqua satellite took this picture the same day

People in Mumbai and Gujarat on Wednesday woke up to a dusty morning, which has been attributed to a giant dust plume that stretched across the Arabian Sea from the coast of Oman to India.

Gulf News reported that several meteorologists had characterised the late March dust activity in this region as a "super sandstorm" with effects reaching as far as Southeast Asia.

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Sandstorm in West Asia leaves Mumbai, Gujarat in dust

Last updated on: March 21, 2012 19:58 IST
Satellite imagery from Kalpana -1 satellite
The dust storm resulted from the convergence of two different storms.

The first front carried dust from Iraq and Kuwait, and the second front stirred dust in southeastern Iran.

"For many it was the worst dust storm in recent years," Gulf News said.

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Sandstorm in West Asia leaves Mumbai, Gujarat in dust

Last updated on: March 21, 2012 19:58 IST
A hazy view of the Oval Maidan in Mumbai

Ironically, when contacted, the Indian Meteorological Department had a different take on the dust haze.

According to Rajeev Nair, director of Met Dept, "There is a dust storm in Rajasthan and its effects are being noticed here. Northerly winds are carrying the dust. Once the wind speed increases, the dust haze will disperse. We expect that to happen by evening or at most by tomorrow (Thursday) morning."

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Last updated on: March 21, 2012 19:58 IST
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