Rains, 60kmph winds kick up dust across the country

ras al khaimah — Heavy rains and winds with speeds up to 60kmph kicked up dust across the UAE on Tuesday. Temperatures dipped as rains lashed the country. Mountainous areas received heavy rainfall, leaving some valleys flooded. The Ras Al Khaimah Police have urged residents to avoid the valleys and other flooded areas.

A spokesperson of the National Centre for Metrology (NCM) said: “Showers were reported in Al Jazirat Al Hamra in Ras Al Khaimah, Khor Dubai, Al Aweer, Al Dhafra and Al Shawamekh areas.”

Police authorities took to social media to warn motorists to reduce speed as several highways — including Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Yas roads — received varying intensities of rainfall.

Cloudy weather persisted in the morning, with “rough to very rough” seas. The amount of clouds decreased gradually by afternoon, the NCM added. “Fresh to strong northwesterly winds, especially over the sea, caused blowing dust and sand over exposed areas, with a significant drop in temperatures.”

The Abu Dhabi Police warned drivers against speeding and urged them to be “extra cautious” on the slippery roads. “Reduce speed, do not use hazard lights unless there is an emergency situation and keep using the wipers whenever needed.”

Fresh to strong winds, especially over the sea, caused blowing dust and sand over exposed areas, with a drop in temperatures.”

Spokesperson, NCM

Uprooted trees, poles

Mustafa Salem, an Emirati, told Khaleej

that strong winds in Ras Al Khaimah uprooted palm trees and wooden poles in some places.

Ahmed Al Shehi, an adviser to the department of public works, RAK, said they attended to four reports of flooded houses. “Emergency teams were immediately dispatched to the reported houses, and the accumulated rainwater drained out,” he said.

Mohammed Al Arabi, an Egyptian resident, said ponds of rainwater blocked some roads in Ras Al Khaimah. “I decided not to send my kids to school.”

Wafaa Saqr, a Syrian resident, said she did not send her kids to school in Ajman either “due to the dusty and unstable weather”.

Photos by Shihab, Dhes Handumon, Ryan Lim and Juidin Bernarrd (Clockwise) Delegates at the World Government Summit in Dubai enjoy the rain on Tuesday morning, a group of people tries hard to control their umbrellas in strong winds in Jumeirah Open Beach, and a man dashes across the road to escape from rain in Abu Dhabi. —

Delegates at the World Government Summit in Dubai try to protect themselves from rain on Tuesday morning.

Some cyclists in Dubai’s Al Mamzar area found the cold weather enjoyable even when it was drizzling.

Many valleys and wadis in Ras Al Khaimah were flooded after heavy rains on Tuesday.

Residents cover themselves from rain and dust in Abu Dhabi. The rain caused a dip in temperatures across the country.