Clean-up operation under way after deluge as more rain forecast in north
A major clean-up operation was under way yesterday on roads and in communities across the UAE after two days of heavy rain.
Some routes remained flooded yesterday morning, causing lengthy delays for commuters – even as gloomy skies gave way to sunshine.
In Dubai, a waterlogged section of Sheikh Zayed Road remained closed off yesterday afternoon, with diversions in place.
The Roads and Transport Authority
urged drivers travelling on the Jebel Ali stretch to use alternative routes, in a message on social media posted shortly after 6.20am.
The authority said it was also working to remove water from parts of Al Qudra Road.
Dubai Municipality said it had sent teams to pump water from flood-hit areas.
Abu Dhabi Police said traffic was diverted from Sieh Shuaib bridge on the Dubai-bound route from Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Road.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, conducted tours on Monday to assess disruption caused by the storms.
Many schools across the country continued with distance learning yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation yesterday called for private companies to apply “flexible working patterns” for employees for a second day.
Thunderstorms overnight on Sunday and throughout Monday lashed large parts of the Emirates with heavy rain and hail. While the National Centre of Meteorology predicts sunny weather for the coming days in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, forecasters said the Northern Emirates have not seen the last of the wet weather.
The weather centre said that while temperatures would reach highs of 27°C in Dubai and 26°C in Abu Dhabi today and tomorrow, more rain is expected on both days further north in Fujairah.
Temperatures in Abu Dhabi and Dubai will approach 30°C on Friday and Saturday, the NCM said.