Unstable weather: Dubai announces remote work for govt employees on December 19

[Editor's note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates on unstable weather in the UAE]

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has declared remote work for government employees on December 19.

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The announcement was made due to the prevailing weather conditions, and the decision applies to employees of all entities affiliated with the Dubai Government.

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Employees whose positions require them to be at the workplace are exempt. Private sector companies have been encouraged to adopt the same measure to ensure everyone's safety.

This measure has been taken to ensure employees' safety as NCM forecasts a fresh wave of heavy rains after midnight on Thursday that would affect Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

According to a senior meteorologist at the National Centre of Meteorology, the system will unfold in several phases over the next two days, with periods of rain, strong winds, and possible hail as a major weather system moves through the region.

"The main wave of unstable weather will begin affecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai after midnight, bringing varying intensities of rainfall that could be heavy at times,” said Dr Ahmed Habib, a senior meteorologist at the NCM.

He noted that the country is currently under a state of atmospheric instability, a condition that allows rain clouds to form, intensify, and produce rainfall at any point during the day or night.

Scattered rainfall has already been recorded in several areas, particularly in the north and east of the country.

Residents have been advised to follow official weather updates and take precautions, particularly during overnight hours when the strongest impacts are expected.

• Dubai

Bahni Bandyopadhyay

bahni@khaleejtimes.com