Cyclone Shaheen prompts Expo 2020 Dubai officials to monitor situation

Some sections of the world's fair could be closed temporarily as a safety precaution if bad weather hits

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Reem Al Hashimy and Noura Al Kaabi arrive at the UAE pavilion during a visit to Expo 2020 Dubai. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Artists perform during Uganda's Expo national day celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education, attends the opening of the Sustainability Portal at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020

Reem Al Hashimy, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai and Jameela Al Muhairi, Minister of State for Public Education attend the Sustainability Portal opening. Photo: Expo 2020

School pupils tour the UAE pavilion. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

Artists perform during Uganda's Expo national day celebrations at Al Wasl Plaza. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

The Uganda pavilion. Photo: Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Visitors outside the Turkmenistan pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Artists performing during the parade at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Artists performing during the parade at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Visitors at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Visitors at the Mexico pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Visitors at the Russia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

School students during their visit at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed tours the Serbia pavilion with Aleksandar Vucic. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R), speaks HE Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of EXPO 2020 Dubai (L) and HE Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, Commissioner - General of the UAE Pavilion at Expo 2020 (C), during a visit to EXPO 2020 Dubai. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs ---

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during a visit to the Serbia pavilion. Ryan Carter for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits Expo 2020 Dubai

Gul Bahar, folk artist from Pakistan at the Pakistan pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors enjoying the ride in the EXPO Explorer train at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai on 3 October, 2021. Pawan Singh/The National.

Lights at the Estonia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.

Inside view of the Ethiopia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.

Different types of coffee are on display at the Ethiopia pavilion at the EXPO 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.

Expo 2020 Dubai officials say they are keeping a close eye on the weather after Cyclone Shaheen hit Oman on Sunday.

Expo spokeswoman Sconaid McGeachin said the team would issue advisories to the public if heavy wind and rain struck parts of Dubai.

“We understand that, later this afternoon, it may hit the Al Ain area and [other parts of] the UAE," she said.

"So yes, please do follow what is going on in case there are any closures to certain parts of the [Expo] site or any effects to visitors coming in.”

Expo officials used Instagram to advise people to check online before visiting the site over the coming days.

"Anyone planning to visit Expo 2020 Dubai on Sunday 3 or Monday 4, October should check (www.expo2020dubai.com), Expo 2020 Dubai's social pages, or the National Centre of Meteorology's website (www.ncm.ae), before leaving home," officials said.

When the world’s fair held a test event last week, Ms McGeachin said the site was hit by a sandstorm that tore through the city, so the team has already dealt with the fallout from bad weather.

Although vast areas of the Dubai South site are open to the elements, Expo's pavilions and covered areas offer shelter from wind and rain.

At a televised briefing by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority on Saturday night, forecasters said the coast around Fujairah, along with Al Ain, would be worst affected.

High winds from the cyclone will be felt on land at about noon in Fujairah and Al Ain, which is expected to experience significant rainfall, said Mohamed Al Abri from the National Centre of Meteorology.

Al Ain city, the area between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and the area between Dubai and Al Ain will be the worst affected when the storm moves south-west.