A severe sandstorm struck several areas in Egypt on Wednesday, March 28, engulfing the landscape in red dust, as seen in this video from Mallawi city.

A state of emergency was temporarily issued on Wednesday in Sohag by Governer Ayman Abdel-Moneim, but was lifted by the evening, the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reported. Abdel-Moneim instructed all schools in Sohag to remain closed on Thursday, however.

The sandstorm moved to the Sinai region on Thursday, interfering with ballot counting in Egypt’s presidential election, according to Egypt Today. Voting took place between March 26 and March 28. Credit: Mallawi Every Hour via Storyful