A dust storm enveloped a swathe of Turkey’s southeast provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin, the Dogan news agency reported on Friday.

Strong winds carried dust from Syria and Iraq which turned the sky over Diyarbakir a shade of yellow, local media reported.

According to Turkey’s regional meteorological authorities, windy conditions and heavy dust reduced visibility and air quality in southeastern provinces of

Diyarbakır, Şırnak, Mardin, Şanlıurfa and Batman.

Dust clouds accompanied by muddy rain engulfed the area into darkness, even during the day. The weather is expected to continue into the evening.

In Mardin province, which was the most affected from the storm, the differently-abled, unwell, and pregnant women in public offices were given a day’s leave

from work.

Some flights were cancelled due to poor visibility cause by the dust clouds.