Video: Heavy rain, strong dust storm hit parts of UAE

Mohamed Alaa, Staff Reporter  

Various parts in the country on Friday witnessed rainfall varying from light, medium and heavy as result of formation of cumulus rainy clouds on the state, while the horizontal visibility reduced to below 2,000 metres with blowing of strong southeasterly winds that reached a speed of 38 km/h.

The rainfall started lightly at about 12:00pm in Al Ain City in Al Shuwaib then it became moderate on Dubai-Al Ain road and heavy in Falaj Al Mualla area in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain. Also Madam area, Khorfakkan Street and Dhaid area in the emirate of Sharjah and Rakna area in Al Ain witnessed medium to heavy rains, while Dubai experienced heavy rains in Al Aweer area.

The National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) appealed to individuals to exercise caution while driving vehicles during the rains, as well as the low horizontal visibility due to raised dust, advising to stay away from surface run-offs and valleys.

The Centre expected that the cumulus rainy clouds would continue towering over the eastern and southern parts of the country on Saturday.

Dust storm hits Al Khan area in Sharjah on Friday.

Weather will be partly cloudy over some areas, some convective rainy clouds formation over eastern and southern areas by the afternoon. Light to moderate southeasterly becoming northeasterly and northerly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust and sand during day time with clouds, with a speed of 20 –30 km/hr, reaching 40 km/hr. Sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman.

Motorists told to exercise caution while driving during the dust storm and rain.

The NCM also noted that the weather on Sunday will be fair to partly cloudy, with a probability of some convective clouds formation eastward by afternoon. Humid by night and on Monday early morning especially coastal areas. Light to moderate southeasterly to northeasterly winds, freshening at times causing blowing dust and sand during daytime, with a speed of 18–28km/hr, reaching 38km/hr. The sea will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman.