n Further changes in weather expected n Schools suspended in Najran and Bisha “Sorry. No face masks left” is the message at the entrance to Najran Hospital Sunday after the region was hit by a wave of dust. (Okaz photo) BISHA/BALJURASHI /RIJAAL ALMA'/DHULuM: High winds whipping up sand and dust reduced visibility on roads and put hospitals on alert for respiratory difficulties across the region of Asir Saturday and Sunday. Education Departments in Najran and Bisha announced Sunday another emergency closure of schools Monday. In Bisha classes were called off in some regions Saturday and winds hit their peak at around 9 P.M. Education authorities responded by canceling classes and lectures for Sunday in Bisha, Tathleeth and Balqaran. Institutes that remained open saw low attendances. A health official said that 43 patients, 16 of them children, were admitted to King Abdullah Hospital in Bisha Sunday suffering from respiratory difficulties due to high levels of dust in the air. Visibility was extremely low along the region's roads. In Baljurashi and surrounding villages visibility was reduced to virtually zero at times on Sunday and the General Hospital saw a surge in complaints from asthmatics and persons with allergies. Some schools that remained open, however, were obliged to keep pupils in after classes for safety concerns. Rijaal Alma' experienced a large dust and sand storm Sunday with visibility reduced to 25 meters causing hold ups to traffic in the main streets of the town. Doctors advised the public to remain indoors as hospitals in the area registered a rise in asthma and other respiratory complaints. The Taif to Riyadh Road was subject to winds of up to 40 kilometers per hour Sunday and severely reduced visibility, with traffic patrols put on high alert to respond to any possible accidents. The Education Administration in Al-Muweih suspended classes and pupils were sent home early, an official said. The Civil Defense in Asir warned Sunday of further changes in the weather and asked motorists to use headlights and rear lights at all times and proceed with caution, and keep informed of any new weather updates from the Civil Defense or the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment protection.
