UAE: How to stay safe during rain floods, thunderstorms

Top safety tips that you should follow at home, outside and while driving

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20240204 rain in dubai
Heavy rain, thunder, hail and lightning hit the UAE over the weekend.
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have descended upon the UAE, and it's crucial to prioritise safety during these inclement weather conditions. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has provided detailed guidelines to people in the UAE, including precautions they should take to prevent serious damage and severe accidents in case of heavy rainfall, floods and thunderstorms

Here's how UAE residents can stay protected.

Understanding weather alerts

Weather alerts are issued by NCM on a three-point scale. Yellow alert: Be aware This means you should be on the lookout if you go for outdoor activities. Orange alert: Be Prepared This means you should be alert; hazardous weather events are expected, comply with advice issued by the authorities. Red alert: Take Action This means people should be extremely vigilant. Hazardous weather events of exceptional severity are forecast.

Basic precautions to take before heavy rainfall or floods

Here are the best pratices you should follow even before the weather conditions turn extreme, according to NCM:

Basic precautions to take during heavy rains, floods and thunderstorms

According to NCM, if you are at home, these are steps you should follow:

What should I do if I'm outside?

If you are stuck outside during heavy rainfall or thunderstorms, here are the precautionary steps you should take:

How to drive safely in the rain

If you are on the road and are caught in the middle of heavy downpour, you should keep these tips from NCM in mind:

The story was first published on July 26, 2022 and has been updated since.

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