(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Published: Thu 2 May 2024, 7:33 AM
Last updated: Thu 2 May 2024, 12:34 PM
An orange alert was issued on Thursday as heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed the UAE. While many residents didn't have to leave home for work today, some woke up early in the morning as downpours and strong winds struck their neighbourhoods. In the north, waterfalls gushed out as dark rain clouds hovered over the mountains.
Over the past few days, the UAE has been preparing for this wave of unstable weather, which is forecast to peak today, May 2, until tomorrow, May 3. Safety advisories have been issued across sectors. Schools are on distance learning , while companies are urged to let employees work from home. Parks and beaches have been closed. Airports and airlines are bracing for the impact, too.
Heavy rains have been pounding the country since midnight, with Dubai seeing showers and lightning as early as 2.35am, according to alerts issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
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While these rains are expected to be less severe than the unprecedented downpour that hit the country earlier this month, the public is urged to take precautions.
With teams on the ground and all hands on deck, Khaleej Times brings you the latest weather updates here:
12.15pm: Instant response!
As soon as a water pond starts forming at the parking lot of this residential building in Al Barsha, cleaners swoop in to clear it out:
12.05pm: Kindness wins
Despite challenging conditions, a resident helps a family push their shopping cart through waterlogged streets:
1 1.55am: Flooded underpass? Cyclist saves the day
With an underpass flooded near Sharjach City Centre, pedestrians have found a hero.
This cyclist has been helping residents cross the underpass without getting their feet and clothes wet. He makes them sit on his bicycle and pushes them from one end to another:
11.45am: Business as usual for delivery riders
For these delivery riders, work continues as orders come in. They put on their raincoats and splash through roads to make sure residents get what they need.
KT Photo: SM Ayaz Zakir
11.35am: Basement parking woes solved
Remember when cars parked in the basement were submerged in water?
This time, buildings in Sharjah are not taking any chances. Many have barricaded their basement parking areas to prevent water from coming in.
11.24am: A distance learning day
“That's a bowl of flour, a glass of water, a plate of oil, and a cup of salt,” says Jaimiely Monedo Dionglay, FS 2 teacher at Newlands School-Dubai, as she shares her online class today.
“It's a small yet busy workspace with resources for our playdough experiment. This is my 'teach-from-home' set-up for my Science lesson. Despite conducting the lesson online, my students are showing enthusiasm in doing the assigned task. They're also asking and answering questions, and providing feedback. It's a good opportunity to interact in a fun and engaging way.”
11.15am: 'Everything is safe'
A resident of Dubai's Meydan area, Ahmed Saboor, managed to take a stroll within his community.
"It was raining heavily in the morning. But now, only light showers remain," he said. "We were all prepared. Thank God everything is safe, and we were expecting heavy rainfall like last time."
11am: Al Furjan was completely ready
Rain also stopped in Dubai's Al Furjan area, although the sun is yet to shine:
This neighbourhood was among areas that were badly affected during the record rains. Some streets were closed and cars were submerged in water.
This time, residents noticed that the authorities cleaned and opened the water sewers a day before and brought in a number of suction trucks to be fully and completely ready.
10.52am: On and off
In some parts of Abu Dhabi - particularly on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street (Airport) - light rain is seen from time to time. Now, it has stopped.
10.45am: Downtown view
Dubai roads may be empty but Downtown heroes have been at work since morning.
No traffic jams and no water ponds are seen on the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard.
Here's the Dubai skyline as clouds blanket the city:
10.34am: Intercity buses suspended
Dubai's RTA temporarily suspends the operations of intercity buses due to the adverse weather conditions.
10.25am: A guide for drivers
Dubai Police are closely monitoring the situation of roads around the emirate. In some areas, they placed cones to prevent cars from driving into water ponds while in others, they shut off certain roads.
Officers could be seen working round the clock wearing raincoats and jackets ensuring a smooth flow of traffic.
10.15am: Some roads flooded
In Sharjah, some roads - particularly in the emirate's Al Nahda area - are already flooded but vehicles can still pass through.
Here are some pictures taken by KT photographer Shihab:
10.02am: Overflowing wadi
If you're living near a wadi, be mindful of warnings and guidelines issued by the authorities.
Here's a view of a valley in Al Ain:
9.54am: Dubai rain heroes on the ground
Wearing their boots and raincoats, Dubai teams are out in the field to ensure public safety - from managing traffic to handling fallen trees.
Here are photos shared by Dubai Media Office:
9.40am: Water ponds on highways
As heavy rains battered several parts of the UAE, water ponds started forming on some roads, including Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road.
Authorities have advised drivers to be cautious on the road.
9.32am: Emirates cancels flights
Several flights were cancelled by Emirates on Thursday due to bad weather across the UAE on Thursday.
Flight movements at Dubai International Airport (DXB) have also been reduced.
Read the full report here.
9.17am: Is your area under orange alert?
The NCM updates the locations covered by its orange alert for hazardous weather:
9.12am: Spot Burj Khalifa
Here's a look near Dubai's Downtown area:
9.02am: Downpour in Palm Jumeirah
It has begun raining quite heavily around the Palm Jumeirah area.
“The winds were very strong last night and one of my neighbour's garden table's glass top flew off. The roads are wet but not flooded," said resident Ameena.
8.49am: Follow all guidelines
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority reiterated its warning for the public:
8.47am: Only a few cars left
An overcast sky above Dubai South brings light to moderate rain in the community. Residents remain vigilant of the unstable weather, and only a handful of cars have left the neighbourhood as of 8.45am on Thursday.
KT photo: Angel Tesorero
8.30am: What today's weather will look like
To give the public an overview, the NCM has shared a visual of the weather wave that will sweep across the country today. Take note of the time stamps on the right bottom corner of the video:
8.06am: If you must drive in the rain ...
KT Photo: Shihab
While it is best to stay home during this time, those who really need to step out are advised to be extra careful. The Dubai Police share six safety tips for drivers:
7.55am: Howling winds wake residents up
UAE residents had an uneasy sleep as strong winds and torrential rain battered most parts of the country between 2am and 4am on Thursday.
Some trees, trash bins and billboards fell due to strong winds but there was no recorded flooding in Dubai South as at 6.30 am on Thursday.
Read the full report here
7am: Heads up, Abu Dhabi motorists!
Speed limits have been reduced to 100kmph on major roads in the UAE Capital:
Maktoum Bin Rashid road (Abu Dhabi-Dubai) Al Ain-Dubai Road Maktoum Bin Rashid road, Abu Dhabi-Dubai (Al Mafraq - Rawdat Al Reef) Abu Dhabi - Al Ain road (Al Mahawi - Al Sad) Shk. Tahnoon Bin Mohammed road ( Al Saja - Masakin ) Abu Dhabi - Al Ain road ( Complex Bridges - Al Wathbah ) Shk. Zayed Bin Sultan road (Shk. Zayed Bridge - Al Bahyah ) Shk. Khalifa Bin Zayed road (Yas - Al Saadiyat) Al Khaleej Al Arabi road (Musaffah Bridge - Abu Dhabi ) Shk. Khalifa Bin Zayed Intl. road, Abu Dhabi - Al Ghwaifat (Al Nof Bridge- Al Ghwaifat)
6.30am: Brace for 'hazardous weather'
The NCM raised an orange warning for nearly all areas in the country, forecasting hazardous weather events until 8pm tonight.
Here are the affected areas:
5am: Scenes at UAE landmarks, mountains
Early in the morning, Dubai's Burj Khalifa had been enveloped by thick clouds as Downtown saw rain accompanied by lightning strikes.
A similar scene unfolded in Abu Dhabi, particularly at the site of the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque:
In the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, residents captured a waterfall gushing out:
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