Forecasters say the unstable weather is expected to continue throughout the weekend.
Published: Fri 19 Oct 2018, 7:52 AM
Last updated: Fri 19 Oct 2018, 8:42 PM
This weekend has already begun to see rain falling over several areas in the UAE.
A weather warning was recently issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) on a chance of towering clouds associated with rainfall over most of the UAE will be accompanied by fresh winds causing rough seas.
Rain continues to drench areas of the UAE, including Masafi, Al Falah, Mohammed bin Zayed City and Al Dhafra area.
There could be poor horizontal of less than 2,000 meters at times over a few scattered areas.
Light to moderate rain has been reported from different parts of UAE on Friday morning with forecasters saying the unstable weather is expected to continue during the weekend.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecast towering clouds associated with rainfall and poor visibility down to less than 2,000 metres at a time over some areas of the country.
The UAE's Ministry of Interior has advised people to exercise caution and vigilance during the unstable weather conditions and heavy rain.
Motorists have been urged to follow the latest weather alerts and refer to the safety measures and instructions featured on the websites and social media platforms.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Energy and Industry has posted the warning on its official Twitter account urging people to follow the safety instructions issued by the official national authorities.
"If the sky is overcast and the rumbling sound of water is heard from the high mountains, you must leave the valley as soon as possible to avoid the sudden flood," the ministry said on its Twitter account.
More rain expected over the coming few days
The NCM announced that more rains are expected in the coming days across the eastern parts of the country.
An official at the NCM told Khaleej Times that areas in Al Ain, Hatta, Masafi, Fujairah and mountains in Ras Al Khaimah will experience showers in the coming days. "More showers are also expected west of Abu Dhabi and near Al Sila area," he said.
As per an NCM report on Tuesday, the lowest temperature recorded over the country was 14.8 degree Celsius in Jebel Jais at 4.45am. Some areas of the eastern and northern region experienced rains of various intensity.
Dr Ahmad Habin, a weather expert with the NCM, said that the weather is partly cloudy to cloudy at times over scattered areas with a chance of some rainfall.
"Light to moderate winds in general, freshening at times, will be causing blowing dust. The relative humidity will increase during Thursday early morning over some coastal and internal areas. Sea is slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf and in the Oman Sea."
Heavy rains have lashed the eastern parts of the UAE, particularly Al Gur area near Hatta, Shawkah area in Ras Al Khaimah, Wadi Al Helo in Sharjah, and some parts in the north near Masafi, he added.
"Clouds have formed near Al Ain, which also caused some downpour, mainly in Hafeet area," he said. "Thunder and hailstorm were also reported in Al Gur area near Hatta."
The maximum amount of showers reported on Tuesday hit 33.4mm in the area, while Khatm Al Shakla in Al Ain saw up to 32mm rains. Jebel Hafeet area experienced 29.4mm rain, Dr Habib explained.
"The low pressure attracting moisture and winds is the main reason behind the formation of heavy clouds along the entire eastern parts of the UAE, and the heavy showers reported on Tuesday."
"More clouds and rains are expected over the coming few days on the eastern parts of the country, near Al Ain, at Hatta, Masafi, particularly Wadi Mareedh, Wadi Mai in Fujairah, and over the mountains of Ras Al Khaimah," he said.
Don't spread rumours, warn police
The RAK Police warned the public against spreading rumours. "The public is urged to get trusted information from official sources and never post or share fake news and baseless stories on social media."
The police has further deployed more patrols to ensure traffic flow and attend to emergency cases if needed, urging drivers to take precautionary measures and avoid the valleys and mountains.
"It is so risky to go out or drive under the heavy showers or to the flooded valleys."
The mountainous valleys are filled with rain water, said police sources. "The public is urged to avoid the valleys and slippery roads, and contact the central operations room in case of emergency."
Department of public works geared up
The Department of Public Works in Ras Al Khaimah has deployed several tankers and staff to drain any accumulated rainwater to ensure public safety.
Ahmed Al Hammadi, director-general of the department, said they are ready for the coming seasonal showers with 80 tankers and 40 pumping machines.
"The department, which drained millions of gallons of rainwater last season, has come up with efficient and practical solutions to prevent showers from flooding the houses of in the valleys and mountains."
"We have removed all the farms and makeshift houses built illegally on the streams of the valleys."
Late in November 2017, five Indian nationals were rescued from a car that was washed away by flood waters in Khor Fakkan. Later, the rescue personnel managed to recover the body of a missing Indian student, who was with them, close to the Omani borders.
- ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com
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