Dubai: Heavy to moderate rain hit most areas of the UAE on Wednesday.
Early showers greeted Dubai and Sharjah commuters, delaying some from reaching offices on time. The extension of a low pressure coming from the eastern UAE also brought heavy rain associated with thunder and lightning over Al Ain at around 8am on Wednesday, according to the UAE Met office.
Fujairah and adjoining areas also had wet weather at around 5am while Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City and adjoining areas reported rain at 4am.
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Unstable weather is likely to persist over the country with large thunder clouds bringing different intensities of rain over scattered areas, according to a weather bulletin from the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS).
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is urging motorists to avoid taking the Shaikh Zayed Road towards Abu Dhabi near the Jebel Ali Port due to water logging.
"RTA requests Shk Zayed Road users in the direction of Abu Dhabi at the exit of Jebel Ali Port to use alternative routes such as Al Khail Road and Shk Mohammad Bin Zayed Road due to accumulation of rain water in that area," a tweet from RTA read.
Dubai resident Ann Julie Cheng, whose work at a factory in Jebel Ali was suspended on earlier this morning due to heavy rain, told Gulf News: "We were on our way to Dubai Metro from work but we had to make a stop because the road was flooded and the car before us got stuck."
In her video, parts of Jebel Ali South were water logged and some road signages were toppled.
Based on the satellite image of the rain clouds on the NCMS website as of 8.30am, overcast skies cover the Abu Dhabi city along the coast, extending towards Dubai and Sharjah. Rain clouds that bring light to moderate rain are seen over Dubai Investment Park and Jebel Ali areas. The same goes for Al Ain and its neighbouring towns.
Some residents of Motor City in Dubai were reporting hail. Warnings against hazardous weather have been raised over the coastal areas of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and the northern emirates, as well as in Al Ain and Fujairah.
Residents are advised to not venture into areas prone to flash floods especially in areas near wadis and mountains. Motorists are also being cautioned to exercise caution on slippery roads and when puddles form.
The Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea will be moderate to rough, but may become rough in case of thunder or cloud activity.
Residents report of waterlogged roads due to heavy rain associated with lightning and thunder over Jebel Ali areas from 9am until now.
A manufacturing company in Jebel Ali south suspended work on Wednesday morning when rain water started seeping through the building windows, doors and roof. All the employees were told to stop work and call it a day as a precautionary measure.
"They switched off all machines, even landlines to avoid the risk electrical short circuit. Rain water entered our building through some leaks and small openings in the windows. All production has been stopped," Ann Julie Cheng, 27, a sales coordinator at the factory, told Gulf News.
"We've been told that we can go home but the roads are flooded. Cars can't pass through as they may get stuck," she added.
Tomas O'Chleirigh posted on Facebook at 10.40am pictures and a video of cars wading through flooded roads in what appears to be Jebel Ali area in Dubai. He said: "Biggest storm ever in Dubai! Offices evacuated. Roads gridlocked."
Maryam Zahir also posted a Facebook video around that time. She said: "All night and day so far of intense thunderstorm and heavy rain in Dubai. This morning taking Jebel Ali Road as we couldn't pass through. All under bridge tunnels entirely flooded and we just came to this..... And still here #notonlyinmexico"
Dubai Police warned motorists to drive safely due to wet weather in most parts of Dubai.
Sharjah residents are also experiencing rain, thunder and lightning.
In Jebel Ali, some employees were sent home from work as at least one factory saw flood waters above ankle-level. Some electrical and phone lines were switched off.
