Thunderstorms catch UAE residents by surprise

Dubai: There are chances of more rain in parts of the UAE on Sunday, a day after thunderstorms lashed the country, the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) said.

According to the NCMS weather bulletin, Sunday's weather is also expected to be hazy to partly cloudy at times.

Heavy rains late at night followed a dust storm that lashed the country on Saturday, forcing residents indoors. Sharjah was badly affected with winds reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain started pounding Abu Dhabi city at around 8pm, disrupting traffic on some roads. Rainwater inundated some low-lying areas.

Overcast conditions later spread to other emirates, including Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman and parts of Ras Al Khaimah where residents reported moderate to heavy rain.

Sunday weather forecast

According to weather forecasters, dust, rain, heavy cloud conditions and a "significant drop in temperature" are expected to persist across the country until Sunday.

Police and the national weather bureau have warned motorists to exercise caution while driving. The public is also advised to stay indoors as much as possible.
The sea was also rough due to strong winds.

Most parts of the emirates have been under a thick cover of fine dust since Thursday evening.

Spokesmen for Emirates and Etihad airlines said there were “no notices of diversions” as of Saturday evening.

Some minor traffic accidents were reported in Dubai and other emirates.

An unidentified ship, in the UAE waters sought permission to enter the port when the storm began. The captain, however, could not keep control of his vessel, which damaged other ships berthed in the port.

“Several ships were damaged as a result. The authority of Khalid port will assess the damages in the daylight,” a source from the port told Gulf News.

With inputs from Bassma Al Jandaly and Mariam Al Serkal, Senior Reporters, Janice Ponce de Leon, Staff Reporter