Rains, hailstones catch Sharjah drivers off guard

Dubai: A sudden downpour and hailstones in some areas of Sharjah flooded sections of the streets creating traffic jams late yesterday afternoon.

"I heard the hailstones falling but didn't see them" said a surprised Sharjah resident who was later caught in traffic trying to get into Dubai from Sharjah. "There's lot of water everywhere and motorists are trying to avoid it," he said speaking by phone.

Busy main roads in Al Wahda were flooded at either sides and motorists were forced to use only two lanes, making the traffic to come to a crawl. Sharjah Municipality officials earlier told Gulf News that it was ready for the rains. They promised that things will be "better than before" since the drainage system has been upgraded. The Dubai Met Office said hail was also reported in Al Qusais district on the Dubai-Sharjah border.

Moderate north-easterly winds dropped the daytime temperature but the sea was ‘choppy' with wave heights of between 4 to 5 feet.

"It's not safe for small boats," said the forecaster.

Al Ain and Abu Dhabi remained dry, but the weather in the Oasis City continues to be pleasant during the day and cold at night. The forecaster advised people to wear warm clothing, especially children and the elderly, during outdoor parties as conditions could be cold at night. However the skies will be clear until after the weekend.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology, a fall in temperature is expected especially in the western, northern, and eastern areas of the country.

Elsewhere in Dubai and the Northern Emirates the skies were overcast and it was windy reducing visibility.