Most schools closed as rain could hit UAE

While some schools, including GEMS, notified parents about closure, a few said they are open.

Schools will be closed today as rain is expected to hit the country, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced.

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- ????? ??????? (@MOEducationUAE) November 19, 2019

"Prioritising the safety of students and due to unstable weather conditions, the Ministry of Education decided to close all schools in Dubai and the Northern Emirates on Wednesday," the ministry said in a tweet on Tuesday evening.

In this weather, please let's use our common sense. We want everyone to stay safe, and we trust principals and parents to decide what's best for their own schools & families. Good night guys, sleep well. ??
- KHDA (@KHDA) November 19, 2019

However, for those in Dubai, schools may decide whether to open or remain closed, as per the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. While some schools, including GEMS, notified parents about closure, a few said they are open.  

Due to unstable weather conditions, all schools in Abu Dhabi City will be closed on Wednesday, 20 November for students' safety pic.twitter.com/hA2ERUvIcl
- Abu Dhabi Government Media Office (@admediaoffice) November 19, 2019

For Abu Dhabi, an advisory was posted on the Twitter page of the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office, saying: "Due to unstable weather conditions, all schools in Abu Dhabi City will be closed on Wednesday, 20 November for students' safety."
Authorities issued a series of warnings, urging everyone to take extra precaution, brace for a rainy Wednesday morning, and expect the unstable weather to continue in the next few days.

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- RTA (@rta_dubai) November 19, 2019

Dubai ferry services are expected to be temporarily affected. People using the service are requested to call the emirate's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at 800 9090 for further information. The announcement was made on the RTA's official Twitter account.
Weather forecast
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said the country will receive more rains accompanied by thunder and lightning this week.
Rains of "different intensities" have been forecast for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
The NCM said temperatures will drop on Wednesday and Thursday across the country. Strong winds will blow up sand, causing "poor to very poor visibility".
The centre also predicted "rough to very rough seas" till Thursday.
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, meanwhile, urged residents to follow instructions from the authorities concerned during the unstable weather "in order to preserve lives and properties".
All motorists are advised to be extra careful on the road and report an emergency via various government hotlines.
Road shut
On Tuesday, the road leading to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the country, was shut down as heavy rainfall lashed Ras Al Khaimah, police said.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi