UAE | Environment
Rain brings traffic to a crawl
Dubai received its heaviest showers of the winter yesterday, flooding houses and shops and causing hundreds of accidents.
- By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief, Daniel Bardsley and Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporters
- Published: 00:00 February 24, 2006
Dubai/Al Ain: Dubai received its heaviest showers of the winter yesterday, flooding houses and shops and causing hundreds of accidents.
Traffic came to a standstill, shoppers huddled under awnings and ceilings leaked like taps after the skies opened with a vengeance and lightning lit up the sky.
Residents used to waking up to bright sunshine were instead greeted by wind and rain pounding on their windows. Among the worst-hit areas were the new developments in the southern parts of Dubai, with roads, villas and shopping malls all suffering leaks after the rains began in the early morning.
Forecasters say the stormy conditions are likely to last the rest of today and more showers are possible tomorrow.
Police in Dubai said there were 513 accidents during the rain yesterday, although there were no reports of serious injuries.
The situation was similar in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi as rain came down in sheets and caused severe traffic jams.
In Al Ain, rainwater flooded streets and low-lying areas, bringing outdoor life to a virtual standstill for an hour. The duty forecaster at Dubai International Airport said the rainfall in south Dubai was severe but not out of the ordinary: "You expect showers like these somewhere every winter. At least one place usually gets a deluge. It was very heavy rain."
By yesterday evening, 14.6mm of rain had been recorded at Dubai International Airport, although further south in the city far more fell. At Abu Dhabi International Airport there was 16.4mm of rain, while Abu Dhabi city had 4.1mm.
Winds gusted more than 35 knots and warnings were made for air, sea and road travel. The forecaster added: "There is likely to be more rain with thunderstorms early on Friday morning, throughout the day and into the night."
More from UAE Environment
More from UAE
Latest news
- Dubai Police to public: Help identify dead man
- Chance of fault on Metro: One per 4 million kms
- Al Ain Zoo launches evening visiting hours
- Emirati students not ready for university
- Recycled gravel to be used for paving roads
- UAE Interact available on smartphones
- Green ambassadors blaze the nature trail
- UAE, UK explore joint cooperation in education
- Dubai Police help foil cocaine smuggling bid
- Carpenter charged with killing friend
- Job scam victim clears name
- Dubai crime, accident rates drop
- Parents should be more vigilant
- ICT forum: What will the future look like?
- Huge rush at ID centres as deadline looms
Community Reports
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
