Global Village has announced it will be temporarily closing from Wednesday at 8pm, citing “adverse weather conditions and following consultation with the authorities”. It was not immediately clear when the popular family-friendly attraction would reopen, but a representative told The National it was likely to remain shut on Thursday, given a high chance of rain.
Egyptian singer Mahmoud El Esseily, whose hits include Ya Nas, was expected to perform on Global Village's Main Stage on Wednesday, but he will now perform on Sunday.
“While we share their disappointment, the comfort and well-being of our guests is our key priority. We thank everyone for their co-operation and understanding,” read a statement from Global Village, while the park's Instagram post acknowledged: “The show must go on, but not in this weather!”
This is not the first time Global Village has decided to shutter its gilded doors. The park put its pavilions, concerts and DSF fireworks on hold twice last year, in early and late January, again owing to the weather and after co-ordinating with the National Centre of Meteorology.
On January 2 last year, The National reported that the UAE recorded a year and a half's worth of rain in three days. The country is expected to receive at least three days of rain this week, too.
Global Village also closed for one day on January 21 last year, as did the then newly opened Ain Dubai, on the NCM's recommendation owing to rain and high winds.
However, the park did extend its tenure by four weeks in its last season remaining open until May 7 instead of April 10, so here's hoping that trend continues this year.
A wet and windy week in the UAE — in pictures
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Buildings in Downtown Dubai loom from the gloom amid stormy skies and rain. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Low cloud and rain in Downtown Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The rain comes down in Al Qudra, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Cars drive through puddles in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The heavy rain left standing water on some roads. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Dark skies over Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Rainy weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A man takes shelter under an umbrella during rain in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The rain comes down at the beach in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
More rainfall and cloudy weather is forecast for much of the country on Tuesday and Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A road sign warning of the hazardous driving conditions. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Umbrella weather in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Drenched delivery drivers in Umm Suqeim, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Wet windscreens in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Wood sellers cover their stock to protect it from the rain in Al Qudra. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Residents take impromptu shelter from the rain in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Studio City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Al Qudra, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Rain on the 611 in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The rain coming down in Studio City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Al Qudra, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
People wait out a downpour in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The rain slows traffic in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Pedestrians getting wet in Al Quoz. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The wet streets of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Gloomy wet weather. Antonie Robertson / The National
