Heavy showers, hail bring relief to Ras Al Khaimah

Heavy rain accompanied by hail lashed Masafi yesterday, bringing cheer to residents who hoped the agricultural season would be fruitful.

Ali Khamis, a UAE national, said it has rained three times this week, but this was the first hail in the past decade. The hail lasted for a short while, but the rain went on for an hour and a half.

It was the heaviest rainfall in Masafi in the past few years, with residents - both nationals and expatriates, young and old - taking to the streets in celebration and creating traffic hold-ups. Meanwhile the dams filled up with rain water, even as farmers said a prayer of gratitude for the rain which fell on the eve of Ramadan.

The frequent rain this past week also signalled the early signs of winter. The region often sees precipitation owing to the greenery and the mountains particularly during the winter months which extend from November to March, although residents noted the rains this year have started particularly early, which augured well for the coming season.