Dubai
At least 20 traffic accidents were reported every hour in Dubai due to rains on Tuesday, Dubai Police said.
Police said that 160 traffic accidents were reported between 12 midnight and 8 am on Tuesday because of the unstable weather.
The Dubai Police Command and Control Unit revealed that it received more than 1,423 emergency calls during the same period.
Colonel Arif Al Shamsi, deputy director of Command and Control Unit at Dubai Police said that most of the accidents were minor. He urged motorists to be cautious when driving in rainy conditions on the road.
“Motorists should always keep a safe distance between cars and adjust their speed to the weather conditions… Allow extra time for your journey and check your planned route. It’s also advisable to slow down as rain makes roads slippery,” Colonel Aman said.
He said accidents happen during bad weather conditions due to low visibility. “People should follow safety instructions and regulations to avoid accidents.”
Meanwhile, a car caught fire on the bridge over the Dubai Canal on Shaikh Zayed Road on Tuesday. The driver escaped unhurt but the white sedan’s engine and bonnet were completely destroyed in the blaze.
However, one driver suffered moderate injuries when his truck crashed into another truck on Emirates Road before Al Awir area on the way to Sharjah.
Major Ali Abdullah Al Naqbi from Rescue Department in Dubai Police said that the injured driver crashed into the back of an empty truck and his cargo closed two lanes of the road.
“He was driving a truck full of heavy materials such as crane bases and metal tools and most of it blocked the lanes. We took out the heavy materials and moved the two trucks to the hard shoulder while police officers organised the traffic. The driver was moved to hospital,” Colonel Al Naqbi said.
Meanwhile, Dubai Police asked the public to avoid swimming in the sea during the unstable weather.
