Rain triggers long tailbacks on Dubai-Sharjah road

Dubai: Lightning split through the air as Dubai and the Northern Emirates witnessed thunderous rain on Monday, even as weathermen warned seafarers about very rough seas off the UAE.

The showers triggered long tailbacks on Sharjah-bound side of Al Ittihad road during the Monday evening rush hour. 

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), meanwhile, has warned seafarers not to venture into Oman Sea until Tuesday afternoon.

NCM said in a report that the sea will be very "disturbed" due to strong winds and wave heights could reach between 6ft to 8ft.

Earlier in the evening, people travelling towards Sharjah faced tailbacks as it began raining near the Dubai Airport and the Al Qusais area.

Heavy rains also hit Ras Al Khaimah, Emirates Road near Umm Al Quwain, and Maliha Road in Sharjah.

A spokesperson at the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) told Gulf News: “It has been raining in some areas (of the UAE). And different areas will experience rain through today, tomorrow and Wednesday morning. It will not be all over the country, mostly the northern and eastern areas.

"It will extend over the coast and some internal areas and the country will experience a significant fall in temperature, especially in the mountainous areas,” the spokesperson added.

Heavy rains were reported in Ajman, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah at around 6.30pm on Monday.

The NCMS had also raised the orange alert in offshore areas of the UAE — warning of hazardous weather events — from 9pm on Monday till 9pm on Tuesday.