Residents flock to snow-kissed RAK mountain over weekend

Dubai - The RAK police have deployed 24 traffic patrols since Friday morning across all the internal ways and highways of the emirate

Following failed attempts to access the Jebel Jais Mountain in Ras Al Khaimah on Friday after heavy snowfall, residents went back on Saturday to enjoy what's left of the snow.
The mountain tops had heavy noon-time snowfall as a result of temperatures dropping to as low as -5.10°C, which prompted the RAK Police to close roads to ensure the safety of motorists after the sudden influx of visitors on Friday.
The RAK police have deployed 24 traffic patrols since Friday morning across all the internal ways and highways of the emirate to swiftly attend to any emergency case due to the unstable weather conditions.
"[We] could not help blocking the Jebel Jais road because of the crowds that flocked to the highest peak in the country to enjoy the snow and scenic views of the emirate," said Brig Abddullah Khamis Al Hadidi, deputy chief commander of the RAK police.
The emirate saw four minor road accidents, which were quickly and professionally attended to, he added. "Drivers are urged to be cautious on the road, particularly during unstable weather."
The influx caused visitors in their cars to be stranded for over five hours on Friday. When Lubna Khan left after Friday prayers, she could not get to the mountain as she reached by 3pm, after the police had already closed the roads.
Not wanting to miss the snowy scenes, which the country barely experiences, Khan left her home at 5am on Saturday in a second attempt to get to see what's left of the frost. Arriving at 7:15am with her husband and daughter, she climbed to the top of the mountain, where they spent two hours before they headed back.
"Although most of the snow had already melted, it was still beautiful. It would've been a pity if we had missed the scene," said Khan.
Mohammed Sayed Arif also left his home around 5:15am to reach the mountain early on Saturday. In the company of his wife and niece, he enjoyed the cold weather, which was about 2°C, before they headed back home at 9:30am. The place was still relatively packed with a few people who had stayed over from the previous night, as they got stranded.
"There was water at the bottom of the mountain, which made it a little difficult to move, but we managed to park our car and walk for around 300 metres to reach the top," he said.
Like Khan, Arif had also tried to reach the mountain on Friday when he heard there was snowfall. But a failed attempt was worth a second try!
Being stranded wasn't fun, but worth it
Suzana said she got stranded for six hours on the mountain, when she tried to leave due to the cold weather and heavy rain. Attempting to leave at 3pm, she and her friends ended up driving out only by 10pm, reaching her home at midnight.
While the police tried their best to clear the jam, drivers trying to go up the mountain conflicted with others trying to leave the place. "It was very tough for the police to remove all the cars, as they were too many," she said.
Visiting the place for the sixth time to show her friends around, Suzana said that going up the mountain during rains made the experience worth it.
Sulfikar Usman also embarked on his journey back home around 4pm, only to reach his home in Dubai at 11:30pm. "We heard the temperature was below zero, so we rushed to the mountain after Friday prayers, around 1:30pm. We couldn't reach the peak as the place was already packed," said Usman.
But it was too late to leave as traffic wasn't moving. However, Usman and his friends enjoyed the temperature that reached 1°C, before they could drive home.
"Overall, it was a good experience. We opened the car window and snowflakes started drifting in. I have always seen snow back home in Kashmir, but it was the first time experiencing it in the UAE," he noted.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
(with inputs from Ahmed Shaaban)
 
 

• Dubai
• Ras Al Khaimah