Image copyrightReutersImage caption A man covers his face as the sandstorm hits near the River Nile in Cairo
An orange cloud has swept through Cairo, forcing people to take cover in buildings as strong winds brought thick dust to the Egyptian capital.
Several ports were reportedly closed and officials at Cairo airport said the sandstorm had caused flight delays.
Egypt’s health ministry advised people with respiratory problems to avoid leaving their homes until the storm on Wednesday had passed.
Image copyrightReutersImage caption While some used surgical masks to filter the dust, others chose to hide under their coats Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Motorists complained of reduced visibility on the main roads in and out of the city Image copyrightReutersImage caption A police speedboat travels on the River Nile during the sandstorm Image copyrightEPAImage caption Witnesses said “the colour of the air is changing”, describing it as “some kind of fog”
Some took to social media to post images of the effects of the storm.
In images: Cairo engulfed in a dust storm on Wednesday. Outside the capital, the storm has spread to Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, the Delta and the north of Upper Egypt, which have experienced heavy showers and strong winds. pic.twitter.com/ZDTkUCNvc3
Image copyright Reuters 
