On Saturday, a massive dust storm swept across Israel
By Sammy,
On Saturday, a massive dust storm swept across Israel, covering much of the country in thick haze and sending Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to the top of global pollution rankings. Fine particulate levels in both cities surpassed hazardous thresholds, exceeding those recorded in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Lahore, Pakistan, and Kolkata, India. The storm was driven by strong southwesterly winds carrying dust from North Africa and the Sahara, which began affecting air quality early in the morning. By noon, the haze was slowly moving eastward, though visibility remained limited in many areas.
The Health Ministry issued urgent warnings for vulnerable populations, including people with heart or lung conditions, the elderly, children, and pregnant women, advising them to avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Residents were also instructed to keep windows closed, wear masks even indoors, and run air purifiers to reduce exposure. Meteorologists said that strong winds of 55 to 65 kilometers per hour were expected to continue, and rough sea conditions with waves over eight feet were reported along the central coast, making ocean swimming dangerous.
Tel Aviv experienced extreme pollution levels, with air quality index readings exceeding 2,000 units, several times higher than Lahore, which ranked third globally at 243 units. Jerusalem also faced exceptionally high particulate matter levels. Experts expected the most severe conditions to persist through Saturday evening, gradually improving overnight. Medium pollution levels could linger into Sunday afternoon as residual dust mixed with ozone, keeping health risks elevated.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection said it would continue monitoring the situation and provide public updates as conditions evolve. While the severity of the storm was unusual, it follows a recurring pattern of North African dust systems occasionally affecting the eastern Mediterranean. Mount Hermon in the north received additional snowfall, and forecasts predicted potential rainfall in parts of the country. Overall, Israel faced a rare environmental event with hazardous air quality and health risks, affecting both urban centers and the coastal regions.
Reported by Sammy for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.