Wet and windy conditions to persist
UNSTABLE CONDITIONS CAUSE FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS, DELAYS AND DIVERSIONS AT ABU DHABI AND DUBAI AIRPORTS
Unstable weather across the country causes flight cancellations, delays and diversions at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports |
Flights in Dubai and Abu Dhabi were diverted and cancelled and weather warnings issued yesterday with forecasters warning of more rain and strong winds across the UAE until tomorrow.
Fifteen inbound flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were diverted to neighbouring airports and several others were delayed from taking off due to the rain.
“Normal operations at DXB have been disrupted as result of weather conditions persisting since last night,” Dubai Airports said in a statement. “Passengers are requested to check the status of their flights with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.”
Over at Abu Dhabi International Airport, flagship carrier Etihad Airways said that eight flights had been diverted to airports within the UAE or the Gulf region due to the unstable weather.
“The airline is working to ensure that they return to Abu Dhabi as soon as possible,” Etihad said in a statement. “The airline will be monitoring the weather situation in the UAE throughout the day… Etihad Airways apologises for any inconvenience caused but the safety and security of our passengers and staff is of the utmost importance.”
In its own statement, Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates — which operates around 500 flights a day from Dubai — said numerous arriving and departing flights had been delayed or cancelled.
“Emirates apologises for the inconvenience caused,” said a spokesperson. “The safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised.”
While Sharjah had also had heavy rainfall, a representative of Sharjah International Airport said that no flights had been delayed or cancelled there.
Forecasters from the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) warned that unstable weather was expected to worsen today and continue until tomorrow. “Rain will affect the whole costal area of the UAE and the wind will be moderate to strong at times,” a forecaster told
Gulf News. He added that high humidity — around 82 to 83 per cent — would bolster cloud formation. Drivers should be cautious due to the wet roads and poor visibility, the forecasters said. People heading out to sea in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman should be wary of rough to very rough conditions in general as winds from a south-westerly direction have created an extended low pressure area.
Satellite images showed a blanket of cloud — some of them rainclouds — spread across the UAE, Qatar and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia, all the way to the northern parts of Oman and Iran.
Dubai Police took to Twitter to warn drivers of the risk of hydroplaning — caused by the build-up of water under the tyres — and advised them to keep a slower speed. Police in Abu Dhabi echoed the call.
Sharjah City Municipality’s Rain Emergency Committee deployed its field teams equipped with necessary tools including protective clothing and equipment, diesel pumps and vacuum tankers to swiftly deal with and remove accumulated rainwater from main streets of the emirate.
Satellite images showed a blanket of cloud — some of them rainclouds — spread across the UAE, Qatar and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia.