Global Village and Ain Dubai are some Dubai attractions that are temporarily closed owing to strong winds in Dubai on January 21. Photo: Pawan Singh and Chris Whiteoak/The National
Global Village and Ain Dubai are some Dubai attractions that are temporarily closed owing to strong winds in Dubai on January 21. Photo: Pawan Singh and Chris Whiteoak/The National
Global Village and Ain Dubai are some Dubai attractions that are temporarily closed owing to strong winds in Dubai on January 21. Photo: Pawan Singh and Chris Whiteoak/The National
Global Village and Ain Dubai are some Dubai attractions that are temporarily closed owing to strong winds in Dubai on January 21. Photo: Pawan Singh and Chris Whiteoak/The National

Ain Dubai and Global Village close temporarily owing to 'adverse weather'


Janice Rodrigues
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In light of current weather, Dubai attractions Ain Dubai and Global Village have both closed for the day, they announced Friday.

Global Village will remain closed for the day owing to "adverse weather conditions and high winds". The family-friendly venue has coordinated with the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) to take the decision for the "safety and wellbeing of all Global Village’s guests and teams".

Gates are scheduled to reopen on Saturday at 4pm the venue announced on social media.

Earlier on Friday, Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel, also announced that it had closed temporarily.

“Due to adverse weather conditions of significant wind gusts, we have been advised that it is not safe to operate Ain Dubai today,” the post read.

The attraction has confirmed to The National that they will reopen on Saturday, January 22.

Those who have booked tickets are being advised to reschedule for another day; all tickets are valid for a period of seven days (until Friday, January 28) upon presentation of the ticket at the Ain Dubai box office.

Guests can also contact Ain Dubai at aindxb@aindubai.com and reference their PNR number and name to clear any doubts.

“As ever, the priority is the health and safety of our guests and providing them with a safe and enjoyable ride,” the post on social media states.

The UAE is currently experiencing strong winds and waves reaching up to three metres, with temperatures expected to regularly dip below 20°C over the next few days.

In the message shared online on Friday, NCM issued an orange alert in both the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman, as winds were expected to reach 60 kilometres per hour.

NCM also said that strong north-westerly winds would blow dust across Abu Dhabi between 6.30am until 4pm on Friday.

Look back at the opening of Ain Dubai:

  • A bystander at Ain Dubai for the attraction's official opening on Bluewaters Island on Thursday, October 21. All photos: Christopher Whiteoak / The National
    A bystander at Ain Dubai for the attraction's official opening on Bluewaters Island on Thursday, October 21. All photos: Christopher Whiteoak / The National
  • Guests step off the cabin after the first ride on Ain Dubai
    Guests step off the cabin after the first ride on Ain Dubai
  • There was a jubilant atmosphere on Bluewaters Island on Thursday as the world's largest and tallest observation wheel opened to the public
    There was a jubilant atmosphere on Bluewaters Island on Thursday as the world's largest and tallest observation wheel opened to the public
  • 'The National' reporter Janice Rodrigues at Ain Dubai on opening day
    'The National' reporter Janice Rodrigues at Ain Dubai on opening day
  • The wheel stands at 250 metres tall
    The wheel stands at 250 metres tall
  • Tickets for the first day were completely sold out, as were tickets for the sunset slot on Friday
    Tickets for the first day were completely sold out, as were tickets for the sunset slot on Friday
  • A single rotation takes about 38 minutes and guests can see Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
    A single rotation takes about 38 minutes and guests can see Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
  • For safety reasons, Ain Dubai has kept a maximum capacity of 10 people per cabin
    For safety reasons, Ain Dubai has kept a maximum capacity of 10 people per cabin
  • Tickets from Dh130 for adults and Dh100 for children
    Tickets from Dh130 for adults and Dh100 for children
  • Sajan Antonie, 44, at the official opening of Ain Dubai
    Sajan Antonie, 44, at the official opening of Ain Dubai
  • Filipa Gameiro, 30, and Jose Nuno, 28, on an Ain Dubai cabin for the first ride
    Filipa Gameiro, 30, and Jose Nuno, 28, on an Ain Dubai cabin for the first ride
  • Guests step aboard a cabin for the first ride on Ain Dubai
    Guests step aboard a cabin for the first ride on Ain Dubai
  • A view from the cabin of Ain Dubai
    A view from the cabin of Ain Dubai
  • Inside one of the cabins
    Inside one of the cabins
  • The view from the top
    The view from the top
  • Guests can view Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
    Guests can view Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah from the attraction's 48 cabins
  • Taking photos of the view
    Taking photos of the view
  • An illustration of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on the ground beneath Ain Dubai
    An illustration of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, on the ground beneath Ain Dubai
  • Views of the Dubai skyline
    Views of the Dubai skyline
  • Views from the top
    Views from the top
  • One of the youngest guests to ride first on Ain Dubai
    One of the youngest guests to ride first on Ain Dubai
  • The wheel towers 250 metres above the ground
    The wheel towers 250 metres above the ground
  • Inside the cabin
    Inside the cabin
  • Setting off for the first ride
    Setting off for the first ride
  • A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
    A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
  • A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
    A DJ booth is seen in one of the Ain Dubai capsule pods. Photo: Thoraya Abdullahi / The National
Updated: January 21, 2022, 12:33 PM