Dust storms to continue

ABU DHABI - The National Centre for Metereology and Seismology (NCMS) and the Abu Dhabi Department of Traffic and Patrols on Saturday warned both motorists and sailors against reckless driving and sailing out into the sea as strong winds and poor visibility caused by the Shamal winds hitting the country.

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Published: Sun 25 Mar 2012, 3:31 PM

Last updated: Mon 9 Jan 2023, 3:33 PM

The NCMS has forecast that the bad, hazy weather with dust and strong winds will continue for the next two days. The centre advised motorists to be cautious, especially on the external highways.

“Hazy and partly cloudy weather will continue for the next couple of days, especially in the northern areas of the country. Shamal winds started affecting the country from Saturday over the western region, and will gradually invade the rest of the areas. It will be fresh in general and strong at times especially over the sea, and will cause the blowing of dust and dust–in-suspension leading to poor horizontal visibility at times. There will be a significant drop in temperature over most areas, particularly in western areas,” the NCMS said on Saturday.


The centre added that the country will remain under the effect of fresh and strong Shamal winds and that the seas will be rough during the next couple of days.

“Motorists using the Abu Dhabi-Dubai, Abu Dhabi-Al Ain and Al Ain-Dubai highways must be extra cautious because of the sand blowing from the desert dunes on both sides of the highways,” said Lt Colonel Jamal Salem Al Meri, Head of Public Relations and Safety at the department. “Drivers on Abu Dhabi-Ghuwaifat should also take extra care while heading to the Saudi border or returning during these bad weather conditions.”


He added that the sand on the road was one of the main reasons for accidents. He called on drivers to adhere to the specified speed limits on the highways, especially in desert areas where there are no high structures or tress to block the sand from gathering on the roads.

“Heavy vehicle drivers should also be extra cautious and drive on dedicated lanes on highways,” he added.

news@khaleejtimes.com


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