Heavy rain lashes northern emirates
Flash floods prompt road closures; schools told to step up safety measures
Heavy rain lashed Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and parts of Sharjah yesterday that led to some road closures and flash floods due to unstable weather that is expected to affect the country until Wednesday.
The weather instability was caused by an extension of the Red Sea low pressure, accompanied by a Western upper air trough, said forecasters from the National Centre of Meteorology. This situation is producing a relatively humid and cool airflow from the north that’s heading towards UAE influenced by low pressures in southern and eastern Saudi Arabia.
Police closed both directions of the road to Wadi Al Hilo in Sharjah and the road to Jebel Jais due to flash floods.
The Ministry of Education said in statement on Twitter yesterday that schools must take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their students, including dismissing classes, when the country is experiencing weather instability.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) yesterday told schools to take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their students during the bout of unstable weather that the country is experiencing. It is expected to continue to experience different intensities of rain until Wednesday.
Heavy rains led to flash floods in various wadis resulting in some road closures in Fujairah, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah yesterday.
Sharjah Police closed both roads to and from Wadi Al Hilo yesterday afternoon due to flash floods while the road to Jebel Jais was also closed as heavy rains flooded wadis and nearby roads.
Fujairah Police said they kept 600 students in school as a safety measure and did not allow them to board their school buses after classes due to the flooding in nearby areas. The pupils were allowed to leave only after the floods receded.
In a tweet yesterday, the Ministry of Education said the safety of students is paramount and advised parents and students to follow safety and security standards during rainy season. “[The MOE] deputises school administrations to take all necessary procedures and also grants them the right to suspend classes if necessary, in accordance to weather conditions,” the ministry said.
“The ministry is intensifying efforts of coordination and cooperation with relevant bodies in the UAE to deal with emergency situations that arise from unstable weather, particularly in areas witnessing heavy rainfall in order to ensure the safety of the student and faculty.”
The heavy rains were caused by unstable weather due to an extension of the Red Sea low pressure, accompanied by a Western upper air trough. This is producing a relatively humid and cool airflow from the north that’s heading towards UAE influenced by another low pressure in southern and eastern Saudi Arabia.
Heavy rain was recorded over Sama, in Ras Al Khaimah; Wadi Al Seder, Tibaa and Al Khabiliya in Fujairah; and Gayathi in Al Dhafra area. Khor Fakkan received light to moderate levels of rain.
Al Bedyah, Murbeh, and Sharm experienced some light showers.
The rainclouds are expected to move westward and lash coastal areas, extending towards the interior areas on today and tomorrow. The situation is expected to abate gradually by Wednesday evening over most parts of the country.
Appeal to motorists
Weathermen and police urged motorists to be cautious when driving in rainy weather as visibility might deteriorate due to rain and windblown dust.
Residents are also advised to avoid valleys as strong currents can easily sweep away anything in its path.
There have been incidents of motorists dying after being swept away by the floods.