Heavy rain across the UAE brings down temperature
Heavy rain lashed several areas of the UAE on Wednesday, bringing the temperature down by a few notches.
Light to heavy rain started ater cumulus clouds continued to gather over cities and region from the day before yesterday throughout Wednesday as a result of the country being affected by a superficial air depression in the upper atmosphere.
Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, ordered Dubai Police emergency and rescue teams to support rescue operations being conducted in Fujairah and Eastern Areas to help people affected by heavy rain on Wednesday.
The UAE Cabinet has directed all federal departments working in areas affected by strong and torrential rain, especially in the Emirates of Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, that their non-essential employees work remotely on Thursday and Friday.
The lowest temperature recorded over the country was around 17°C at Jabal Jais in Ras Al Khaimah.
Rain started falling on Jebel Ali and Al Khawaneej in Dubai, Khorfakkan, Al Rafisah Dam and Al Dhaid in Sharjah, Fujairah International Airport, Dhadnah, Yabsa and Wadi Saham in Fujairah and Al Rams and Wadi Mamdouh in Ras Al Khaimah.
The weather body said Umm Al Quwain and its affiliated areas witnessed moderate to heavy rains on Wednesday.
The sky was still cloudy heralding more rains in the coming hours. The rainfall led to a noticeable decrease in temperatures and a slight accumulation of water in some areas. Cities and areas on the eastern coast saw for the second day in a row heavy rainfall due to the effects of the air depression covering the country.
Rain started on Wednesday and continued throughout the day. This caused large quantities of water to accumulate on main and side streets, roundabouts, squares of cities and areas in the east. The climatic conditions resulting from the effects of the depression led the sky to be overcast with more rains falling intermitently and a significant drop in temperatures.
The heavy rain led mountain reefs in all areas to be flowing and valleys to be flooded.
The Ministry of Interior called on motorists to be cautious while driving due to the unstable weather conditions.
The Abu Dhabi Police called on drivers to adhere to safe driving on internal and external roads during rain and expected weather fluctuations during the coming days.
Meanwhile, food and grocery delivery services delayed in many areas of Dubai and other emirates due to heavy rain. Many food outlets in the rain-hit areas suspended their delivery services for their riders’ safety. They also offered apology to customers for inconvenience.
The UAE Cabinet directed the formation of an urgent commitee chaired by the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and the concerned federal authorities, to work on assessing the damages of torrential rains and floods witnessed by various regions, in coordination with local authorities across all emirates.
The UAE Cabinet also directed the commitee to submit a detailed report on the damages and immediately start taking all necessary measures to protect property and lives in coordination with security, police, and municipalities in every emirate.
The commitee has called on all UAE citizens and residents, especially those residing in the mountainous areas, to be cautious and stay away from the streams of valleys and torrents.
The preparations taken in advance by the municipalities in the eastern cities in compliance with weather forecasts led to successful removal of accumulated water from the roads, squares and roundabouts, though these operations continued throughout Wednesday due to due to the uninterrupted rains. Municipalities made strenuous efforts to remove the accumulated water, while the police in Fujairah and the Eastern Region warned the public to take extreme caution while driving their vehicles on the roads, avoid tailgating and stay away from flooded valleys. The Fujairah Police also appealed to lovers of walking, running, swimming and mountain climbing to choose the appropriate time to practise their hobbies, taking into account the current weather conditions.
Dubai Police ordered to help speed up rescue operations; some federal employees, affected by the rain, allowed to work from home; food, grocery delivery services were delayed in many areas; residents told to stay away from valleys.