Dramatic time-lapse footage shows sandstorm engulfing homes in Turkey

Dramatic time-lapse footage shows a sandstorm engulfing homes in Turkey on Saturday (September 12).

The terrifying phenomenon swept through Polatlı in the Ankara province, obscuring the afternoon sun and leaving an orange haze.

Hundreds of homes were covered in the dust, leaving terrified residents coughing and choking inside their rooms. One resident said: "Everywhere turned down and visibility was down to 50 metres.

The situation was very bad in our garden.

It was terrifying.'' Elsewhere in the town, locals were choking and spluttering as the monstrous sandstorm filled the air shortly after 3 p.m.

Local time.

Ankara Governor Vasip Sahin said that several people were injured during the freak weather incident.

Sandstorms are caused when earth particles become loosely held mainly due to a prolonged drought or arid conditions.

Strong winds then whip up the surface dirt and sand while carrying it in terrifying wave-like clouds that engulf the area and reduce visibility.