Cities in north-western Egypt, including the capital Cairo, have been hit by the severe Khamaseen sand storm.

According to social media posts by locals, the city was plunged into darkness in the middle of the day.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority said this weather event is attributed to the arrival of the first Khamaseeni low pressure system of the spring season in the country.

It typically brings dry and hot winds, with soaring temperatures, as they sweep in from the Sahara in North Africa, laden with dust and sand.