The terrifying sandstorm swept through Niamey on May 4. The scene that witnesses described as "shocking and scary" was captured - according to RT.
The "sand walls" hundreds of meters high swallow the city, turning day into night for anyone on its path.
Although Niamey has not reported any damage or injuries after the sandstorm, the dusty storms are believed to have caused a number of diseases such as bacterial meningitis in the Sahel region, which spans across North Africa from Eritrea to Senegal.
According to research published in 2016, strong winds can carry particles, including infectious bacteria, deep into the respiratory tract - suggesting that sandstorms may play a role in the outbreak of certain diseases.
Sandstorms are common in the Sahara desert, especially in arid areas in West Africa during the dry season, known as Harmattan, which typically lasts from January to April.
