Dark clouds and rain across the UAE

'Once the rain has started, precautions must be taken by motorists on slippery roads. Once it starts, it will be like oil,' says a meteorologist.

A woman walks in the rain in the Marina area of Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Much of the country woke up yesterday to dark clouds, wet roads and traffic chaos.

The north was the hardest hit. By mid-morning 21 millimetres of rain had fallen at Sharjah airport, the most of any emirate. Dubai and the surrounding areas recorded about 6.5mm of showers.

"Some of the clouds extended to Abu Dhabi city and the capital witnessed light rain," said a spokesman at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology.

The wet conditions are common for this time of year, he said. “We are in winter season, and from time to time the country can expect to be affected by cooler air temperatures at the upper air levels. This causes unstable weather conditions, causing the cloud to accumulate and eventually it will rain.”

Rain will continue to be a possibility until tomorrow, mostly in Al Gharbia in the west, and the islands, he said.

"Once the rain has started, precautions must be taken by motorists on slippery roads. Once it starts, it will be like oil."

Sailors, swimmers, fishermen and watersport enthusiasts are also cautioned to avoid the sea, as strong winds are expected to continue until tomorrow.

“Strong winds are prevailing in the Oman sea and the Arabian Gulf sea and we advise them not to go to sea during this period, up to Wednesday night,” the meteorologist said. “The high wind speeds causing rough seas will continue until Wednesday night.”

Winds are expected to reach 50kph over the sea and 55kph over land, raising dust at times.

The weather will be cool over the next couple of days. The temperature is expected to drop to a low of between 6°C and 10°C inland and 15°C to 18°C on the coast. The highs will be 23°C on the coast and 21°C to 25°C inland. The lowest temperature recorded yesterday was 3.6°C at Jebel Jais, north of Ras Al Khaimah.

In Sharjah, municipality staff and police worked together to drain flooded roads.

“Our quick intervention in identifying and draining all flooded areas and roads has helped to keep traffic moving,” said Riad Abdullah Eilan, director general of the municipality and head of the rain emergency committee.

The municipality used 60 of their water tanks and 70 from the private sector, and 160 water drainage machines, to clear flooded roads.

Mr Eilan urged the public to call the free municipality emergency number 993 to report flooded areas.

Many drivers from Sharjah to Dubai found the roads flooded and heavy traffic, particularly in the industrial areas and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed road.

“There were so many cars breaking down after they got submerged in the flooded roads, and this also created more traffic,” said one resident, Nasiri, who lives in Sharjah and works in Dubai.

“It took me about two hours to get to work in Dubai International City, when it usually takes me about 20 minutes. Even Al Wahda-Al Ittihad road, the main highway linking Sharjah to Dubai, was affected by heavy. Drivers were taking more than an hour to get to Dubai despite the road having Salik now.”

Another driver, Abdul Malik, said: “Today was the worst traffic day I have seen on this road since they introduced Salik.”

Col Sultan Abdullah Al Khayal of Sharjah Police urged drivers to slow down on the slippery roads.

“Our warnings go to mostly the big trucks and small vehicles not to overtake in dangerous ways or change lanes abruptly, and ensure that they all leave enough space between the vehicles,” he said.

He urged motorists in cases of minor accidents to move to the side of the road as they wait for the police.