The United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed severe weather conditions, including heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, even as authorities warned residents to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines.
The severe weather comes at a time of heightened regional tensions amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The Dubai Media Office said the country would continue to experience unstable weather conditions, with rainfall of varying intensity, sometimes accompanied by lightning and thunder.
It added that wind speeds could become strong at times, raising dust and sand and reducing visibility, while sea conditions would remain light to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
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Authorities in Dubai have issued guidelines for residents amid the tumultuous weather:
- Stay away from valleys, flood-prone areas, and places where rainwater may accumulate
- Stay away from mountainous areas
- Avoid going to sea
- Exercise caution while driving and reduce speed
- Follow official channels and government authorities for accurate information & timely updates
- Contact emergency services when needed.
Visuals of torrential rain also surfaced on social media, with an account sharing an update that a “rare, intense storm” hit the UAE, bringing showers, hail and flash floods, with more than 90 mm of rain falling within hours, turning roads into rivers and severely disrupting traffic.
{{/usCountry}}Visuals of torrential rain also surfaced on social media, with an account sharing an update that a “rare, intense storm” hit the UAE, bringing showers, hail and flash floods, with more than 90 mm of rain falling within hours, turning roads into rivers and severely disrupting traffic.
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HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the visuals at this time.
The impact of the weather was visible across the country. Roads in Sharjah were submerged, prompting advisories for residents to stay indoors, while Abu Dhabi Police reduced speed limits on key roads to ensure safety, reported Gulf News. Municipal teams in Ajman were also deployed round the clock to manage the situation.
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Meanwhile, transport services were disrupted, with bus services between Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman temporarily suspended, and some areas witnessing road closures, stated a report by Khaleej Times. Ras Al Khaimah also announced remote work for government employees on March 27 due to the weather conditions.
According to the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology, the unstable weather system is expected to continue affecting the country until at least Friday night, with further rainfall likely in some areas.