Rain in Dubai: Global Village closes and cancels concert citing weather

The Mahmoud El Esseily concert has been postponed to Sunday

It is unclear when Global Village will reopen after its temporary closure on Thursday owing to adverse weather. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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.

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