Rain hits UAE, likely to continue over weekend

 Light to heavy rain fell in various parts of the country on Thursday, including Ras Al Khaimah, and is expected to continue for 4 days as a result of the country being affected by an extension of a surface low pressure, accompanied by an extension of a low pressure in the upper layers of the atmosphere, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The NCM expects Friday's weather to be partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with a chance of some cumulus clouds accompanied by rainfall in the northern and eastern regions. Winds, according to the NCM, will be northwesterly to southwesterly, moderate to active in speed and sometimes strong over the sea, and stirring dust, with speeds ranging from 15 to 30 km/h, amounting to 45 km/h, while the waves will be rough in the Arabian Gulf and rough to moderate in the Sea of Oman. 

Saturday's weather will be generally partly cloudy, with low clouds appearing over the islands and some coastal and western areas, with a possibility of light rain, the NCM reported. It will be humid at night and on Monday morning in some western inland areas and winds will be southeasterly to northwesterly, light to moderate in speed, sometimes active, stirring dust, with speeds ranging from 15 to 25 km/h, amounting to 40 km/h while the waves will be rough to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and moderate to light in the Sea of Oman, the NCM added. 

Sunday's weather is expected to be generally partly cloudy with the appearance of low clouds over the islands and some coastal and western areas, with a possibility of light rain and humid at night and on Monday morning in some western inland areas, while winds will be southwesterly to northwesterly, light to moderate in speed, sometimes active, stirring dust, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/h, amounting to 35 km/h while the waves will be rough to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and moderate to light in the Sea of Oman.

The weather on Monday is also expected to be clear to partly cloudy, with the appearance of some clouds over the islands and some western areas, and humid at night and on Tuesday morning in some western inland areas. Winds will be northeasterly to southeasterly, light to moderate in speed, sometimes active during the day in the north, with speeds ranging from 10 to 20 km/h, amounting to 35 km/h and the sea will be light to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in the Sea of Oman. 

Preventive measures 

In this regard, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has provided a set of preventive advice before, during, and after heavy rains and floods, explaining that safety during rains and floods inside homes requires keeping a first aid kit, ensuring the cleanliness of drinking water, avoiding foods exposed to floodwater, installing fine mesh on windows to prevent insects from entering, and using creams or insect repellent sprays. 

MOHAP also called for wearing protective clothing during rain, using an umbrella to avoid getting wet and slipping, avoiding driving in areas where water accumulates, parking the car away from flood paths, staying away from exposed wires, not approaching stagnant water after rain, and wearing long clothing to avoid insect bites in humid weather.

Also, Abu Dhabi Police called on drivers to adhere to safe driving and safety measures on internal and external roads during the expected rainfall and weather fluctuations in the coming days, and to avoid approaching areas where valleys run and water accumulates, and to follow the instructions of the competent authorities to ensure the safety of everyone. It urged road users to monitor the weather conditions before moving in the vehicle, reduce speeds on roads, and leave a sufficient safety distance between vehicles, stressing the danger of the driver taking pictures or being distracted from the road, stressing the need to adhere to the specified speed and shown on the signs and electronic guidance panels on the roads. 

Brigadier Juma Salem Bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, stressed the importance of drivers exercising the utmost caution and care while driving in rainy weather conditions. 

Brigadier Bin Suwaidan noted that Dubai Police will not tolerate dangerous driving or reckless behaviour, as it poses a direct threat to the lives of drivers and others. 

TAQA Distribution Company has called on customers, in the event of a power outage during changing weather conditions, to contact a certified electrician to check the distribution board or meter first. The company explained in text messages to subscribers that the electrician must follow specific steps, including checking the main distribution board to ensure that there is no damage, then stopping all sockets and sub-breakers and operating the main switch, followed by operating the sockets and sub-breakers gradually. 

In the event of any problem, the damaged sockets and sub-breakers must be isolated and the second step must be repeated. It stressed that in the event of a power outage, call 991 for electricity emergency and 992 for water emergency. 

Sharjah Municipality has stressed its readiness for the rainy season and dealing with various weather conditions, in accordance with integrated work plans and strategies implemented by the municipality with the help of specialised work teams, equipment, machinery, and a diverse fleet of vehicles to perform its field tasks with high capacity and efficiency to ensure safety of all. 

On his part, Brigadier Juma Salem Bin Suwaidan, Director of the General Traffic Department at Dubai Police, stressed the importance of drivers exercising the utmost caution and care while driving in rainy weather conditions. 

Brigadier Bin Suwaidan noted that Dubai Police will not tolerate dangerous driving or reckless behaviour, as it poses a direct threat to the lives of drivers and others.