Al Ain: Local flooding once again disrupted the normal life in many towns as thunderstorm hit the emirates on Monday midnight with intermittent moderate to heavy rain.
The main thrust of the weather has passed on Tuesday but scattered rain is expected in different areas, especially in the northern and eastern emirates until Thursday," said the weathermen.
Interactive map: Flood hotspots in the UAE
"Several factors contributed to the unstable weather," said a weatherman, noting that western disturbance - mass of upper surface cold air coming in from the west - and high level of humidity played the lead role in the formation of rain giving clouds all over the emirates.
"We were expecting much heavier rain than it had actually fallen. It is, however, a natural phenomenon that depends on rapidly changing conditions" he said. Clouds and rain has, however, helped in temperature fall and people have been enjoying pleasant weather for the last several days across the country.
The whole country was under thick black clouds for the whole day on Tuesday and continuous rain, also drizzle in some parts, was reported from different cities. The national weather bureau recorded more than 45.6mm rain in Ghantut and 51mm in Dhudna, a town on the UAE's East Coast near Fujairah, until 10am.
Traffic chaos in Dubai
Heavy rain also hit Dubai even after midday creating traffic chaos on the streets but just 8.2mm rain was recorded at the airport. More rainfall was reported in some parts of Dubai later in the day. Abu Dhabi received a brief spell of heavy rain on Tuesday morning that inundated many low-lying areas, creating problem for the traffic and the residents.
In other areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), Al Ain received 3.2mm, Jebel Hafeet 13.6, Al Khazna 24.4, Masafi 40, Fallaj Al Mullah 16.6, Madinat Zayed 13, Abu Dhabi Airport 42.8, Al Ain Airport 2.3, Sharjah Airport 15.6, Ras Al Khaimah Airport 13, and Fujairah Airport 8.4mm.
Terrible time in Al Qua
People living in Al Qua, a town some 120km away in the south of downtown Al Ain, have faced a terrible time in the current unsettled weather conditions. Hundreds of household units have suffered partial to total destruction in the first spell of thunderstorm.
Gusty winds had blown away many shanty houses, caravans, and rooftops of the Emiratis and expatriates'' houses, forcing them to spend sleepless nights in the open. UAE Red Crescent Authority has now been providing tents, food, and other essentials to more than 200 families in the area.
Forecast
According to the NCMS forecast, intermittent rain is expected in different parts of the UAE, especially in the northern and eastern areas, until Thursday. Conditions would be cloudy to partly cloudy tomorrow (Wednesday). Clouds amount will decrease by afternoon and evening with a gradual fall of temperatures. Winds will be moderate but sea will remain rough in general.
On Tuesday, the minimum and maximum temperature remained between 17 to 29 degree Celsius in the coastal areas, 14c to 31c in the interior areas, and 10c to 22c in the mountainous areas.
