Northern Emirates hit hardest by harsh weather

RAK Police urged the residents to drive safely and to take preventive measures such as observing a safe stopping distance, and to avoid the use of high-beam headlights or signals unless necessary.

Flood at Khuzam area. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Heavy rain, hail and thunderstorms formed waterfalls in Ghalila Valley and Jebel Al Jais on Monday, as the Northern Emirates bore the brunt of bad weather.

And Ras Al Khaimah residents were not spared the traffic jams and flooding experienced across most of the country’s main roads.

RAK Police issued a warning to motorists about a landslide near exit 119 on Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and commuters posted pictures on social media of a submerged roundabout near Al Etihad University.

Many cars had broken down and were trapped by the water near the roundabout.

Residents in some areas reported electricity cuts at their homes, caused by the heavy and continuous rain.

RAK Municipality officials said teams were working around the clock to drain the flooded roads and the affected residential areas.

Police urged residents to drive safely and to take preventive measures such as ensuring a safe stopping distance, and to avoid the use of high-beam headlights or signals unless necessary.

“There was hail as well in Ajban, Nahel, Sweihan and Al Rahba in the early morning,” a spokesman for the weather bureau said.

“The highest rain until now has been in Jebel Al Jais and RAK has received the most rain.

“There is chance of rain until tomorrow morning, particularly in the northern and eastern regions of the country.”

Alia Ibrahim, 40, a Palestinian housewife who has lived in Ajman for 15 years, said that although it was “awesome” to see rain, it caused havoc at the entrance of her residential building as pools formed.

“After it rains, we can’t park our cars and walk to the building’s entrance,” said Ms Ibrahim.

“And water stays in residential areas for a whole week.”