Nationwide clean-up after destructive storms
▶ Extreme weather damaged buildings and brought country to standstill on Sunday
A large clean-up operation was under way across the UAE yesterday after a day of heavy rain and strong winds, with road maintenance teams and street sweepers out in force.
Violent storms battered parts of the country on Sunday, flooding roads, uprooting trees and damaging buildings.
Footage of the extreme weather in Ras Al Khaimah showed a construction crane on a bridge almost completely submerged by water.
Other videos showed rain cascading into shops in The Dubai Mall and queues of motorists trying to navigate flooded streets.
“Take caution while driving when it rains [and during] low visibility,” the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said.
“For the safety of all, please follow the weather forecast issued by the National Meteorological Centre.”
On Sunday, the NCM issued their most serious red warning in parts of the Emirates.
It indicated serious damage was likely to be caused to buildings and roads, and that people should avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. In Ras Al Khaimah, the towns of Munai and Wadi Saam were hit hard by sudden downpours.
Rainwater swept through the areas, washing away embankments, felling trees and damaging property. Meanwhile, footage showed water pouring through the domed roof of Louvre Abu Dhabi. Several large trees around Sheikh Zayed
Grand Mosque in the capital were uprooted by ferocious gusts of wind.
A crane was also ripped from its mooring on a construction site in the city before falling on to a neighbouring high-rise.
And in Sharjah, emergency services were called out to rescue a school bus trapped by floodwaters.