Health authorities in the governorate of Deir Ezzor, some 450 kilometers northeast of this capital, established the health emergency state after receiving to hundreds of people with breathing difficulties as a consecuence of inhaling dust particles.

It is the worst atmospheric event of its kind to affect this province for decades, according to local media.

The storm provoked a complete stoppage in the daily activities of the inhabitants, in addition to causing material losses as a result of the heavy dust and the strong winds that reached 88 kilometers per hour.

In the neighboring northeastern province of Hasakeh, the windstorm toppled some high-voltage towers, which caused an interruption in the electricity service.

pgh/arm/jf/fm