UAE encounters heavy rain, lightning, thunder, and hail

Emadeddin Khalil, Staff Reporter

A shallow air depression from the southwest brought heavy rain, lightning, thunder, and hail on Saturday, causing flooding in several valleys in the country.

The depression was accompanied by humid southeasterly to northeasterly winds, a humid air mass, and a western air current. Clouds of varying amounts flowed from the southwest and west.

Rain fell in various regions of the UAE, like Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Al Dhafra, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and Umm Al Quwain.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) also reported that the lowest recorded temperature in the country on Saturday was 9.2°C in Jebel Jais, Ras Al Khaimah at 6:45am.

The NCM urges motorists and road users to exercise caution while driving, advising the public to avoid areas where water collects and valleys flow, and seek information from official sources.

In the same context, the Abu Dhabi Police stressed the need to follow the variable speed limits displayed on electronic signage and signboards during rainfall and low horizontal visibility. 

According to the NCM, the weather condition in the country will gradually improve from Saturday evening onwards. By Sunday morning, some eastern regions will experience a decrease in severity, and the weather condition will completely recede by Sunday evening. Stability is expected by Monday morning, the NCM added.

The Emirate of Umm Al Quwain received the highest amount of rainfall, with 65 mm recorded from Thursday to Saturday afternoon.

To report rain and sand accumulation, falling trees, or any emergencies, people are urged to call 993 or use the interactive platform on WhatsApp at 026788888 by Al Dhafra Municipality. It is crucial to follow weather forecasts from official authorities, exercise caution, and adhere to safety rules when driving, while avoiding direct exposure to dust and obstacles.

The weather for the week ahead will be generally clear to partly cloudy, with occasional cloudiness in some areas. There is a chance of rain in the east and south during the day. High temperatures and humidity are expected at night, with fog or light fog forming in some coastal and inland areas. The winds will be southeast to northeast, and northwest at light to moderate speeds, sometimes becoming active, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 up to 40 km/h. The sea will experience light to medium waves, occasionally in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

NCEMA continues its follow-up to the situation

The National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) collaborates with the Ministry of Interior, the National Centre of Meteorology, and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to monitor the impact of the depression on the country. They hold a series of Joint Assessment Team (JAT) meetings.

The Ministry of Interior is confidently activating its work continuity plans and thoroughly assessing the weather situation to ensure the safety and security of everyone, based on the latest weather updates.

The field teams are securing valleys and streams to reduce risks and protect lives and property. The traffic teams are organizing traffic to prevent congestion and help emergency vehicles and essential services move smoothly. These combined efforts are effectively tackling various challenges to minimize damage and ensure everyone's safety.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure explained that the heavy rains in most parts of the country did not cause any damage to public or private property. This was due to the thorough preparations made for the rainy season and the necessary measures taken to ensure the safety and efficiency of the dams in storing water.

These measures included opening dam gates, relieving pressure by emptying water, preparing the dams to accommodate new quantities of rainwater, cleaning canals, and performing regular maintenance.

It also pointed out that the dam management now uses advanced systems and modern technologies to monitor and control operations in real-time.

“Artificial intelligence techniques monitor the flows of rainwater, torrents, and floods in valleys. Modern technology accurately calculates the speed, quantity, and depth of water flows and sends the data to the Ministry's Control and Monitoring Centre for analysis. This ensures rapid decision-making,” the Ministry added.

It thanks the public for their commitment to social responsibility. It emphasizes the need to continue following the instructions issued by the concerned authorities to ensure everyone's safety.