Kuta Beach Hit By Sand Storm

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Kuta Beach in Bali was hit by sand storm on Thursday after it was closed for various activities the day before due to high waves caused by tropical storm.

White sand, the icon of the international tourist beach resort in the Badung district, flew to the Kuta Beach main street and its surrounding areas blown by strong wind and waves.

The sand was seen piled up quite high on streets enough to disrupt visitors and also left dirt on shops hotels and other buildings in the area.

The coordinator of water tourism service of the Badung district, Ketut Ipel, said the sand storm later died down after rain fell.

Red flags had been raised along the coast line from Kuta to Legian and Seminyak as a sign that the areas were closed for swimming, surfing activities.

Some domestic as well as foreign tourists however had been seen swimming and soaking in the sea waters despite the ban.

Ketut Ipel admitted that the flags had been lowered in the afternoon when the waves were quite low making some tourists dared swimming in the sea.

However when the flags were raised again near in the evening no one had been seen swimming again, he said.  (*/T007)