Morning fog causes over 200 accidents

Dubai: There were hundreds of accidents on Dubai's roads on Wednesday during early morning fog, and Thursday could see a repeat of the hazardous conditions.

Dubai Police's Command and Control Room reported more than 225 minor accidents although there were not thought to be any serious injuries.

Police blamed the accidents on drivers who were speeding, ignoring traffic rules and failing to leave enough space between vehicles.

Officers said that motorists must drive more slowly and not get too close to the car ahead of them in the hazardous conditions.

Flights as well as roads were disrupted when visibility plunged to as little as 100 metres.

Sharjah was the first area to be affected yesterday, with the fog arriving at around 4am and lasting for about two hours. Visibility in the emirate fell to 300 metres.

In Dubai foggy conditions began at around 6.30am and lasted until about 9am, with meteorologists recording visibility of as little as 200 metres.

The fog was even thicker in Abu Dhabi, and at one stage people could see no more than 100 metres in the capital.

However, as with elsewhere, conditions had improved by about 9am.

Inland parts of the UAE, including Ras Al Khaimah, largely escaped the fog on Thursday, forecasters said.

Shamma Lootah, media relations and communications manager at Dubai International Airport, said one incoming flight had to be diverted to Ras Al Khaimah because of the conditions. She said no outgoing services suffered disruption as a result of the fog.

Wednesday's maximum temperature in Dubai was 32C and the minimum was 23C, and similar figures are predicted for Thursday.

Clive Stevens, duty forecaster at Dubai International Airport, said that inland parts of the UAE could be heaviest hit by the fog Thursday.

He added: "There is a risk [of fog] this morning as the moist air is still coming in from the sea, although it will clear once the sun comes up.

"It will be slightly humid for the next few days, but with maximum temperatures of 32C or 33C, it will be very pleasant weather."

Stevens said offshore winds could be between 15 and 20 knots, causing slightly choppy conditions with waves of four to six feet. Other forecasters have said waves in the central Gulf could be as high as 14 feet.