Residents in the United Arab Emirates, particularly those with dust allergies, have been advised to remain indoors this afternoon as dust storms sweep through Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

The weather began changing dramatically late Monday morning, with strong winds triggering dust storms across various regions.

By noon, visibility was significantly reduced on many roads, creating hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported that fresh northwesterly winds are stirring up significant clouds of dust and sand, causing horizontal visibility to drop below 3,000 meters in several internal and coastal areas.

Drivers have been urged to exercise caution, with authorities recommending that they refrain from using their mobile phones while driving.

A severe dust storm was specifically reported in the Dubai Investment Park on Sheikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street around 12:30 PM. The NCM forecasts that these conditions will persist until 6 PM. Meanwhile, temperatures in coastal areas are expected to reach up to 44°C, compounded by high humidity, creating oppressive conditions during the day.

Temperature highs across the region are forecasted between 42 and 46 degrees Celsius, with nighttime lows ranging from 20 to 26 degrees Celsius.

As the evening approaches, winds are expected to shift direction from southeast to northeast while remaining light to moderate, though occasional gusts could reach up to 40 km/h, especially over the sea.

In a separate development, the Cybersecurity Council of the UAE has issued a warning regarding an uptick in scams involving QR codes, which fraudsters exploit to steal personal and financial information.

Recent trends indicate that fraudulent QR codes are being placed in public areas, redirecting unsuspecting individuals to suspicious websites that may appear legitimate.

Residents are advised against scanning unknown QR codes without verifying their authenticity, especially those attached to multiple layers of stickers or redirecting to suspicious websites with recognizable errors.

Cybercriminals typically place counterfeit QR codes on signposts and informational boards, intending to compromise victims' financial security.

The Cybersecurity Council highlighted that these codes can install 'redirect links' leading users to fraudulent websites aimed at stealing sensitive data or executing scams.

Public spaces have become common venues for QR codes associated with marketing or digital service access, but these conveniences come with heightened cybersecurity risks.

The Head of the Cybersecurity Council, Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, reinforced the importance of verifying QR code sources, ensuring they are located in trusted areas, and avoiding scanning codes from unknown sources.

He outlined actions to take if individuals fall victim to these scams, including contacting banks to freeze cards, utilizing reliable antivirus software, changing passwords, and reporting incidents to the relevant authorities.

The Council is actively working to enhance the security of QR code usage across the UAE, collaborating with digital service providers and launching public awareness campaigns to educate residents about cyber threats and safe practices.

This initiative aims to safeguard citizens, residents, and institutions within the national digital ecosystem.