A WATERSHED DAY FOR UAE
dubai — The heavy rain that lashed all seven emirates on Sunday left several roads and areas flooded. Elsewhere in the digital world, social media too was flooded. With photos and videos of residents enjoying the pleasant weather.
One video shared from a Twitter handle called @Storm_Center showed a footage dubbed ‘purple storm’, showing spectacular lightning in Ras Al Khaimah, which appeared to tint the skies purple.
While many enjoyed the wintry conditions in the desert, it brought chaos for others, especially motorists. In Dubai alone, 581 traffic accidents were recorded.
Police authorities and building management teams sent out warnings via circulars and social media to residents, urging them to take precautions in the wet conditions.
The worst-hit were Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Sharjah’s eastern region, with flooded valleys and even landslides reported.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
Sunday proved to be a very wet day across the country, as heavy rains lashed almost all of the seven emirates. Hail and snow also hit some parts of the country, even as many residents took to social media to document the unusual wintry weather in the desert.
The wet, windy and stormy conditions have been ongoing across the UAE since Friday, and according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), it is likely to continue well into Monday.
As social media feeds were chockablock with images and videos documenting the heavy rain on Sunday, one Instagram video posted by @binmejren_sultan showed clouds flowing down like a river onto the desert area in Ras Al Khaimah.
The UAE’s @Storm_Center also shared some breathtaking videos and images of the weather including one piece of footage dubbed ‘purple storm’, showing spectacular lightning in RAK, which appeared to tint the skies purple.
On Sunday, an NCM representative said convective clouds accompanied by occasional heavy rain and lightning was expected throughout the day and night on Sunday. But that weather is expected to gradually subside by Monday afternoon.
However, rain will remain over scattered areas. “Southeasterly to northeasterly moderate to fresh winds will, at times cause blowing dust and sand, and will reach a speed of 65 km/hour,” NCM said.
The centre also warned of rough- to very rough waters in the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea during this period.
Despite the warnings and flooding in many residential areas, some residents expressed unexpected delight at the heavy rains and stormy weather, some of the first witnessed in December. For Twitter user @hameedshock, it was the respite from the usually hot weather here.
“#Dubai gets rain after a long wait! #joy #currentmood #weather #rain #UAE”, he tweeted. And @MHuzayen joined him by tweeting “#dubai #rain #bussinessbay #amazing @BusinessBay.”
But while many enjoyed the weather, it brought chaos for others, especially motorists. Building management teams as well as police authorities sent out warnings via circulars and social media to residents, urging them to take precautions in the wet conditions.
“Dear drivers: Reduce speed during heavy rain to avoid any hydroplaning #Weather#DubaiPolice,” the Dubai Police tweeted. The Sharjah Police announced the closure of several roads leading to the valleys, as heavy rain continued to lash parts of the emirate on Sunday.
But RAK seemed to be the most hit, as the constant downpour turned mountains and valleys into enormous, deep lakes. Several roads also reports landslides, mainly the Al Tawain area.
Residents witness landslides
Sandeep Vellalloor, an Indian surveyor, told Khaleej Times that he was heading to work when he saw huge damage on one road. “I noticed a big road landslide at Al Tawain area here in RAK, after the heavy showers in the emirate on Saturday and Sunday.”
And Emirati national, Mohammed Ibrahim, said he saw large amounts of hail falling on the Al Hamraniya area too. “The white blanket of hail has attracted so many people,” he said.
Khalifa Saif Al Muhairi, chairman of the RAK Fishermen Society, told Khaleej Times that the heavy downpour and fast winds — reported at 45km on land and up to 55km/ph on sea — have stopped fishing operations since Saturday afternoon.
Official weather reports show that the most showers were reported in RAK’s Jebel Jais area, recording over 15mm of rainwater, followed by Abu Al Bakhush, Al Qur, Al Ruwais, and Umm Ghafa.
Work to clear accumulated water
The RAK department of Public Works and Services has also deployed over 80 tankers to suck out accumulated ponds of rainwater, particularly in the low level areas and major roads. Ahmed Mohammed Al Hammadi, director of the department, said 30 of these tankers belong to the department while 50 others have been rented.
The RAK Police have also deployed more traffic patrols to ensure traffic flow and recover stuck and non-functioning vehicles, if any, according to Marwan Jakkah, RAK Police’s media department head.
Residents of areas exposed to pouring showers and strong winds are requested to be careful, and call 999 in case of emergency immediately.
“All residents are advised to avoid mountainous areas and the strong currents of the valleys here, while motorists are requested to reduce speed, be attentive on the road, turn on the lights, and observe traffic rules for everybody’s safety.”
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com