There’s a sandstorm currently sweeping across Johannesburg, and no, we’re not talking about that sandstorm.
Around 2pm, residents in Johannesburg’s city centre noticed the oncoming storm engulfing the streets and buildings.
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Light refracting through a dust storm that’s just hit the JHB city centre. pic.twitter.com/qWwW6kTWrD
— Mayleen Vincent (@MayleenVincent) August 22, 2017
Sadly, someone forgot the bat signal.
Soon after the above was published, the South African Weather Service issued an alert.
“A dust storm + strong winds currently over Ekurhuleni & Jo’burg. Will soon be over Tshwane. Large amounts of dust will cause poor visibility,” it wrote.
A dust storm + strong winds currently over Ekurhuleni & Jo’burg. Will soon be over Tshwane. Large amounts of dust will cause poor visibility
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) August 22, 2017
User pictures then blanketed Twitter.
Current view. Wow! Jozi #Sandstorm pic.twitter.com/JoalT4BMEE
— MissBee_nana (@Bee_nana) August 22, 2017
View of the #sandstorm in Gauteng towards Sandton from Auckland Park. @SAWeatherServic @tWeatherSA pic.twitter.com/ycyQwwJFmr
— Greg Mallett (@GregMallett) August 22, 2017
Northcliff #sandstorm pic.twitter.com/mC0j6WWeZ6
— jessica jesie (@jessicajesie1) August 22, 2017
#Sandstorm approaching the West Rand pic.twitter.com/1n2qGfd9fL
— Estelle Bronkhorst (@EstelleBr) August 22, 2017
#SandStorm has reached Pretoria pic.twitter.com/jwiuZAHhE6
— Marko Svicevic (@MarkoSvicevic1) August 22, 2017
The sandstorm has also affected a number of regions in Mpumalanga and the North-West.
Those who stayed indoors whipped out the memes and social commentary.
“The Guptas are bringing Dubai weather to Johannesburg,” one user snarked.
Imagine your R200 note flying away in this weather #sandstorm pic.twitter.com/F6WU8HEEuR
— BeetleJuice (@im_Rarebreed) August 22, 2017
People in Gauteng today #Sandstorm
pic.twitter.com/v5BueMEFhj — Itumeleng Seleke (@Selektah12) August 22, 2017
The Guptas are bringing Dubai weather to Johannesburg#SandStorm pic.twitter.com/wD14Jp6jAm
— Young Native (@Asenati_Tukela) August 22, 2017
The last notable standstorm to strike Gauteng occurred in 2014, affecting Johannesburg’s northern suburbs.
“@tWeatherSA: ALERT: Poor visibility & strong wind gusts reported in parts of #Gauteng due to #sandstorm.”
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) October 16, 2014
That Bloem sandstorm just landed in Jozi. Madness. pic.twitter.com/Dhtuyi4qAJ
— Rob AF. (@RobForbesDJ) October 16, 2014
This is a developing story…
