Dubai: Heavy rain and thunderstorms caused havoc across the UAE on Saturday.
Many roads across the UAE were submerged under floodwater, a racing event at Dubai Autodrome was cancelled and the England cricket team had to abandon a morning practice session in Abu Dhabi.
Residents of Dubai's Umm Suquiem district reported seeing a large hailstorm early on Saturday morning as lightning storms lit the city's skyline.
Traffic was backed up on Shaikh Zayed Road heading from Abu Dhabi towards Dubai as huge puddles made driving extremely hazardous. There was also disruption in Jumeirah with flooding bringing the Al Wasl Road to a standstill.
Spewing water
Dr S.K. Gupta, Senior Meteorologist at Dubai Met Office, said there was a possibility of further thunderstorms over the Eid holiday.
"We have been monitoring a trough of upper air over the last five or six days, which has led to the formation of thunderclouds. There is the possibility of isolated thunderstorms today but they will move away to the east and we should expect sunny spells on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday."
The maximum temperature in Dubai yesterday was 22C with a minimum of 17C. Shammal winds will also die down by late this evening.
Officials cancelled the final day of the two-day Grand Racing event at the Dubai Autodrome due to heavy flooding around the track. Several corners and the pitlane of the circuit were submerged in water. In some areas, the water level was over one metre deep.
Track Manager Richard Birch said: "This is some of the worst flooding I have encountered at the circuit. It is a shame; we were expecting a big crowd today."
UAE residents were warned several days ago by Met Office officials to stay away from wadi (valley) areas during the Eid break because of a risk of flash flooding. Eid is a popular time for many residents to go on camping excursions.
Several Dubai malls were also affected by the wet weather conditions with shoppers complaining of floodwater at Deira City Centre and Ibn Battuta Mall.
A Gulf News reader said: "I was at Deira City Centre where the rain had caused absolute havoc. The drains in the car park were spewing water and inside the mall the ceiling lights in the food court resembled waterfalls."
A spokesperson for Nakheel, which owns Ibn Battuta Mall, told Gulf News on Saturday: "As a result of the severe wet weather experienced over the last few days, Nakheel Retail is attending to a small number of leaks caused by rainwater."
Keep safe: Driving tips
- Make sure the headlights and the front windows of the car are clean before staring the journey.
- Reduce speed, leave enough space between vehicles and avoid overtaking. Do not change lanes unless necessary.
- Turn on headlights, but avoid turning on hazard lights, except in emergency cases. Using hazard lights all the time prevents a motorist from alerting other motorists to an emergency.
- Be aware at all times of danger such as a vehicle suddenly braking in front or a vehicle entering from a side entrance. This means not using mobile phones when driving, for example.
Did you welcome the recent hail and rainstorms? Or have they been a nuisance? Have you changed your holiday plans due to the weather conditions?
Your comments
I have expreienced hail 3 years ago. I love this weather!
Ramzanali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 06, 2008, 14:18
i have been living in Dubai for 11 years and today was the first time i see hail here!
Laeeq Hassan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 06, 2008, 13:45
Today I came from India to celebrate Eid with my friends. This is the first time I am coming to Dubai. As soon as I came out of the airport I saw streets flooded in parts of Jebel Ali
Zackriya
Chennai,India
Posted: December 06, 2008, 13:29
I come from a hill station- Coorg India, I have come across hail storms of all sorts over there. Never in my lifetime have I ever come across such a storm.
Kiran Arjun
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 06, 2008, 11:55
It is a very natural event,nothing special here.
Hisham
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 06, 2008, 11:41
