• 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

The Vines - In Miracle Land
Two stars

Infobox

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August

Results

UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets

Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets

Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets

Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs

Monday fixtures

UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Cheb%20Khaled'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKhaled%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBelieve%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series

Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes. 

The trip

From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant 

Three out of five stars

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

Updated: May 02, 2025, 8:23 AM