DUBAI 12 January 2019: The National Meteorological Centre (NCM) said there is a probability of some freezing rain or snow over the mountains.
In its forecast for today, the NCM said there will be a significant drop in temperatures. The mercury is likely to drop to 5°C in the mountains with a high of 20°C inland.
It will be cloudy to partly cloudy with a chance of rainfall over some Northern and Eastern areas.
The relative humidity will increase by Monday morning over internal areas.
Fresh winds will make the seas rough to very rough in the Arabian Gulf and rough in Oman Sea.
Long-time UAE residents said yesterday was one of the worst days weather-wise they have seen in many years.
“It was stormy like you an’t believe,” T.M.
Dubai Flights Cancelled
Dubai airport was flooded leading to flight cancellations and schools were closed due to the rains and strong winds.
Operations at DXB continue to be hampered by the knock-on effects of today’s [Saturday] heavy rainfall resulting in a number of flight delays, cancellations and diversions. We continue to work closely with our partners to restore full operations and minimise inconvenience to our customers, said Dubai Airports in a statement.
“However, with additional rain expected later this evening, the disruption is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. Customers are advised to check directly with their airlines for more specific flight information and allow additional time to get to the airport,” it added.
There was widespread flooding in the wadis.
Widespread Flooding
Traffic was heavily impacted as several tunnels and underpasses flooded – even below Dubai World Trade Roundabout causing major delays.
Later Dubai Police announced that the road had been opened for traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road from the first intersection in both directions.
Dubai Police said Al Ittihad Road tunnel has been closed towards Al Garhoud bridge due to rain water pools. Please drive carefully and safely.
Exits leading to Dubai Mall from Sheikh Zayed Road were temporarily closed due to flooding. Traffic was redirected to Financial Center Road.
It also said traffic on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Street, heading to Sharjah, has beeen opened after completing all the work of withdrawing rainwater pools.
Dubai Media Office said unusually heavy rain hit Dubai, with rainfall reaching 150 mm/hour for 2.5 hours, according to preliminary reports, resulting in water ponds in some areas of the emirate and traffic diversions.
Global Village Closed
Due to the current weather conditions, and in order to ensure the comfort of all guests, the Global Village will close its doors Saturday, January 11, to start receiving its guests again tomorrow, Sunday, January 12 starting from 4 pm, said a Global Village statement.
Flooding was so severe that in may places cars were almost submerged below the waters.
1,880 Accidents in Dubai
In Dubai, the traffic accidents during the rainy period numbered about 1,880, and 55 of which were severe and 1,825 minor, police said.
The command and control center administration in the General Administration of Operations received 51,749 calls on 999 from noon last Thursday until 3.5 pm yesterday, while the call center received 5,562 calls on 901.
Brigadier Saif Muheir Al Mazrouei, Director of the General Traffic Department, called on drivers to take care and caution while driving in volatile climatic conditions, and adhere to traffic safety guidelines, and weather warnings before starting to drive.
He advised residents not to go out except in cases of necessity to avoid accidents, given the low visibility due to heavy rains.
Roads Closed
Colonel Ahmed Atiq Bourguiba, Director of Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management at Dubai Police, said that the Crisis and Disaster Management Team in the Emirate of Dubai has managed the event professionally and meticulously during the rains, following up patrols and field guidance with the participation of strategic partners ..
He pointed out that the patrols have closed a number of roads, as well as traffic has been diverted to alternative roads, and the provision of tanks to suck rain water, in addition to dealing with vehicles that have been subject to traffic accidents.
During heavy rain and unclear vision, please stop in a safe place until the vision is clear enough to drive.#Weather#YourSecurityOurHappiness#SmartSecureTogether pic.twitter.com/gxhU7DZxTS
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) January 10, 2020
