UAE | Environment
Hot spell grips UAE and is expected to continue for a while
Temperature has risen to the extreme level in most cities, with relatively high humidity in the coastal areas.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 15:35 June 30, 2008
Al Ain: Temperature has risen to the extreme level in most cities, with relatively high humidity in the coastal areas.
People in Al Ain have been braving the hottest spell of the year with mercury shooting up to 49 degree Celsius. Over the last two day, the actual temperature has gone beyond 50 degree Celsius in the oasis city as a difference of around three degrees exists between the official and the actual temperature.
"Our monitoring is as per the requirements of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)," said an official of the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS). The censoring apparatus has been placed under the shades of a screen to meet the WMO standards that shows almost three degrees less temperature, he said.
The forecaster said the temperature is above 50 degree Celsius under direct Sun in Al Ain and some other areas. The situation was not much different in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Ras Al Khaimah, where temperature was a few degrees lower but humidity was high.
"We expect the current heat wave to continue for the next few days," said the weatherman, adding that a strong north-westerly wind will drop the mercury a little.
The hot spell has also lowered the air quality that could trigger breathing problems in elderly people and asthma patients. "Everybody needs plenty of water to avoid dehydration as the conditions are dangerous, particularly for the field workers and elderly people," said Dr Imran Ali, a physician at a government hospital.
Dr S. K. Gupta, duty forecaster at the Met Office of Dubai International Airport, said the conditions are very discomforting for people as the level has dropped to six on the comfort index. The index has a scale of one to 10, he said, and conditions goes to danger level after crossing five.
"I expect a more difficult time, particularly at night, for the people living in the coastal cities as humidity will rise to maximum levels in the next few days," he said.
The NCMS weather forecasters for the next 48 hours predict a very hot weather in general across the country. Conditions could be hazy at times and chances of low clouds exist over the eastern areas by afternoon and evening.
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