KUWAIT CITY, May 5: The Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) announced on Sunday evening the temporary suspension of maritime traffic at Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports due to adverse weather conditions.

In a statement, the KPA explained that the decision was made to ensure the safety of port personnel and facilities amid reduced horizontal visibility and wind speeds reaching up to 82 kilometers per hour.

Earlier in the day, the Meteorological Department reported that Kuwait was experiencing active winds, which had reduced horizontal visibility to zero in some areas. Acting Director of the Meteorological Department, Dharar Al-Ali, informed KUNA that satellite images and weather radar indicated that most areas of the country were affected by low and medium clouds interspersed with some cumulus clouds, accompanied by active winds. Some automatic monitoring stations recorded wind activity exceeding 70 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching more than 100 kilometers per hour, leading to visibility falling to less than 1,000 meters and becoming non-existent in certain areas.

Al-Ali anticipated a gradual improvement in weather conditions over the next few hours, with dust and the possibility of scattered light rain continuing until Monday.

The KPA emphasized that the suspension of operations was a precautionary measure to safeguard the safety of maritime navigation and port facilities. The authority will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates as necessary.

The Meteorological Department advises residents and maritime operators to exercise caution due to the prevailing weather conditions and to stay informed through official channels for the latest updates.