UAE | Environment
Life limps back to normal as skies clear
Motorists heaved a sigh of relief as the rain eased and the skies cleared yesterday afternoon.
- By Mahmood Saberi and Biju Mathew, Staff Reporters
- Published: 01:06 January 17, 2008
- Image Credit: Asghar Khan/Gulf News
- Flooded areas caught many commuters off guard as they drove to work in the morning after heavy rain left streets submerged in water.
Dubai: Motorists heaved a sigh of relief as the rain eased and the skies cleared yesterday afternoon.
Life and traffic slowly returned to near normal as the relentless downpour in most parts of the UAE, mainly in Dubai and the northern emirates, that led to flooding and traffic jams came to an end.
The skies will be clear from today, the Dubai Meteorological Department predicted.
Dubai recorded the highest rainfall nationwide and beat the highest recorded rainfall for January. From 4am Tuesday to 4am yesterday, 65mm of rain fell.
Respite from downpour
The rain stopped in Dubai around 10.30am yesterday. "It has stopped everywhere now," said Dr S.K. Gupta, weather forecaster.
"From last Friday to yesterday, the Met office recorded 108.8mm of rainfall in Dubai. This is an all-time record," he said.
The highest previously recorded in the month was 81.9mm. Abu Dhabi recorded 32.2mm.
Fujairah and Abu Dhabi may get a light drizzle tomorrow, but nothing significant, said Gupta.
The weather system is moving eastwards and it will be cloudy overnight in Al Ain, but without rain. The low pressure system will soon dump rain on India and Pakistan and snow in Kashmir.
"The weather is changing everywhere," said Gupta.
The seas are still choppy with 6 to 7 foot waves, but there is no marine warning as the winds are blowing at only 16 knots.
As rain gives way to cooller temperatures, it is time for warm clothes as the mercury is expected to fall to a chilly six degrees Celsius.
- With inputs from Nasouh Nazzal and Fuad Ali, Staff Reporters
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