• Motorists drive in the rain on Al Khail Road in Dubai on Jan 3. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Motorists drive in the rain on Al Khail Road in Dubai on Jan 3. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The UAE had been receiving unusually large amounts of rain over the weekend.
    The UAE had been receiving unusually large amounts of rain over the weekend.
  • Traffic under grey skies and rain on Hessa Street in Dubai.
    Traffic under grey skies and rain on Hessa Street in Dubai.
  • The National Centre of Meteorology said downpours, strong winds and leaden skies were expected.
    The National Centre of Meteorology said downpours, strong winds and leaden skies were expected.
  • Dubai and Abu Dhabi were hit by intense storms with torrential rain deluging the cities, along with thunder and lightning.
    Dubai and Abu Dhabi were hit by intense storms with torrential rain deluging the cities, along with thunder and lightning.

UAE weather: More rain hits Dubai as cloud-seeding planes take to the skies


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Latest: Final burst of rain before cool and dry weekend ahead

More rain hit Dubai and other Emirates on Monday as forecasters warned the UAE is in for several more days of wet weather.

The National Centre of Meteorology said downpours, strong winds and leaden skies could be expected until Wednesday, if not for longer.

Powerful gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour could sweep across the UAE until Tuesday, reducing visibility, throwing up dust clouds and causing rough conditions in the Arabian Gulf, the forecast showed.

The NCM also said cloud-seeding planes are in action to try to coax more rain to fall.

"The country is affected by unstable weather due to an extension of a surface low pressure, accompanied by an upper air low pressure from the west," the NCM said.

It follows a bout of wet conditions that swept across the Emirates from Friday.

A man navigates a deluged street in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A man navigates a deluged street in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai and Abu Dhabi were hit by intense storms with torrential rain deluging the cities along with thunder and lightning.

Almost 18 months' worth of rain fell in the UAE in the space of just three days.

Since December 30, Saih Al Salam in Dubai, which includes Al Qudra Lakes, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, has recorded 141.8mm of rain.

On average, the UAE records about 100 millimetres of precipitation a year.

Collapsed ceilings, leaking doors and blocked drains were reported in some homes after the New Year storm struck Dubai.

The UAE's cloud-seeding planes have also been in action coinciding with downpours across the Emirates.

The NCM's seeding programme does not create rain but tries to enhance it.

Seeding involves shooting crystals such as salt into the clouds. Salt naturally attracts water. The water particles then collide with each other and hopefully fall as rain.

How much rainfall is generated is hard to quantify, with the NCM saying more studies are needed.

"I don't think we've seen rain like this since 2019," Dr Abdulla Al Bahri, a forecaster at the NCM, told Dubai Eye radio station on Monday. "It's natural and some of it is [because of] cloud seeding."

Aftermath of the UAE storm - in pictures

  • Workers clearing a flooded road after heavy rain in Al Barsha heights, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers clearing a flooded road after heavy rain in Al Barsha heights, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Not a common sight in the UAE, people using umbrella in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Not a common sight in the UAE, people using umbrella in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A flooded road in Al Quoz Industrial area, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A flooded road in Al Quoz Industrial area, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A tree felled by extreme weather in Discovery Gardens, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A tree felled by extreme weather in Discovery Gardens, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Workers push a car stranded on a flooded street in Al Quoz Industrial area. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers push a car stranded on a flooded street in Al Quoz Industrial area. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Workers clear a flooded road in Al Barsha heights. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers clear a flooded road in Al Barsha heights. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A flooded road in Al Quoz Industrial area. Pawan Singh / The National
    A flooded road in Al Quoz Industrial area. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Trying to stay dry in Al Furjan, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Trying to stay dry in Al Furjan, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A worker clearing water from a road in the Greens area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A worker clearing water from a road in the Greens area of Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Floodwaters being cleared on Al Qudra Road, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Floodwaters being cleared on Al Qudra Road, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Al Qudra Road, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Qudra Road, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Traffic jams on the flooded Al Qudra Road, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Traffic jams on the flooded Al Qudra Road, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Mangroves area in Abu Dhabi on a cool and gloomy morning. Victor Besa / The National
    The Mangroves area in Abu Dhabi on a cool and gloomy morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • A brisk breeze has the UAE flag fluttering on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A brisk breeze has the UAE flag fluttering on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Two women enjoy a cool morning on the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
    Two women enjoy a cool morning on the Corniche. Victor Besa / The National
  • Runners take advantage of the cool weather on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Runners take advantage of the cool weather on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Corniche in Abu Dhabi on a cool and gloomy morning. Victor Besa / The National
    The Corniche in Abu Dhabi on a cool and gloomy morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Traffic heading in to downtown Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Traffic heading in to downtown Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
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The biog

Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents

Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University

As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families

Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too

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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.

Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.

Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.

When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

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UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The biog

Favourite film: The Notebook  

Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey

Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela.           Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands

Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends

Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl

Updated: May 02, 2025, 8:23 AM