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Sat, Jan 24, 2026 | Shaban 5, 1447 | Fajr 05:44 | DXB 
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Dubai: Hatta Winter Festival to be shut on Thursday, Friday due to unstable weather
Police say the force is fully prepared to respond to emergencies during the current weather conditions
[Editor's note: Follow the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates on unstable weather in the UAE ]
The Hatta Winter Festival will be closed on Thursday and Friday as a precautionary measure, as police step up patrols and emergency readiness amid unstable weather conditions.
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Hatta Police Station said the temporary closure was agreed during a coordination meeting with government and private sector partners, as well as event organisers, to reduce the risk of rain-related incidents.
Colonel Ali Obaid Al Badwawi, Acting Director of Hatta Police Station, said the force is fully prepared to respond to emergencies during the current weather conditions. He urged residents and visitors to stay away from mountain areas and watercourses, avoid crossing valleys, and refrain from mountain climbing during rainfall to protect lives.
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“In case of an emergency, the public should contact the Command and Control Centre on 999 and clearly describe their location to help teams reach them quickly,” he said.
As part of wider preparations, the station has coordinated with partners including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services to ensure full readiness.
Colonel Al Badwawi added that this marks the ninth consecutive year of the rain safety campaign titled “Rain is a blessing, do not turn it into harm,” aimed at strengthening preparedness for incidents such as vehicles trapped in flowing water, falls from heights, and traffic accidents during rainfall.
Major Ghdayer Mohammad bin Suroor, Head of the Traffic Registration Section at Hatta Police Station, said patrols are intensified as soon as rain begins and valleys start flowing. “All roads are covered by patrols, electronic message boards are activated to alert drivers to reduce speed, and coordination is in place with transport, land and marine rescue teams to ensure a rapid response,” he said.
He added that patrols are focused on valley flow areas and mountainous routes, using vehicles equipped for rugged terrain, smart devices, modern communication systems linked to the Command and Control Centre, and specialised rescue equipment. The Brave Team, he said, remains on standby around the clock to handle emergencies professionally.
Waad Barakat
Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.
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