UAE weather: More rain on the way after Dubai and Sharjah hit by storms

Dubai Municipality received dozens of emergency calls on Saturday

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  Dubai was hit by heavy rain, thunder and dust storms on Saturday. EPA

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  Heavy rain caused flash flooding in several areas. AFP

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  Dubai Municipality said its workers were out in force cleaning up after the stormy conditions. Photo: Dubai Municipality

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  Some trees were blown down. Photo: Dubai Municipality

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  Workers clean up the debris after the storm. Photo: Dubai Municipality

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  Fallen trees are removed from the road. Reuters

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  Workers clear another fallen tree. Reuters

The UAE experienced more wet weather on Monday after Dubai and Sharjah were blasted by storms over the weekend.

Light rainfall was recorded in Al Dhafra, which forms the western region of Abu Dhabi, at about 4pm.

The National Centre of Meteorology said the adverse weather conditions could persist until Thursday, in the east of the Emirates.

The weather bureau had earlier reported there was a prospect of downpours on Monday afternoon, "over some Eastern and Western areas of the country".

It said winds could grow in strength, prompting more dust storms, which could hamper visibility.

The weather centre said it will be "mostly sunny" in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The NCM said a lower pressure weather system was still travelling eastwards, towards the west of the country.

A NCM spokesman said it would cause rainfall of "different intensities", with a chance of "thunder and lightning at times over some Eastern areas, Al Ain and South of Al Ain extending over some internal areas".

Dubai authorities received more than 100 emergency calls during unstable weather on Saturday, as trees were felled by high winds and roads became waterlogged.

Dubai was lashed by heavy rain and thunder as dust storms swept in, greatly reducing visibility.

On Sunday, Dubai Municipality announced the temporary closure of public parks from 6pm "due to the prevailing weather conditions".

The authority said beaches providing night swimming would also be temporarily closed from 7pm on Sunday.

The public spaces were reopened on Monday as weather conditions eased in Dubai.

Dubai Municipality said it received 69 reports of fallen trees on Saturday, 16 of which were on main roads.

There were also 18 requests for excess water to be drained from road surfaces.

How to claim for vehicle damage

Sharjah was also battered by downpours and powerful winds, which caused damage to a number of buildings in the area.

Glass windows were shattered by the strong gusts, with facades of businesses also damaged.

Sharjah Municipality announced the temporary closure of its public parks on Saturday.

The green spaces reopened on Sunday, the department confirmed.

Sharjah Police on Monday offered advice to motorists on how they can document insurance claims for vehicle damage incurred during the bad weather.

The force said the "To Who it May Concern" certificate can be accessed through the "Police Services" section of its online app.

.Applicants are required to provide information about their vehicle, insurance details, and the nature, date, and location of the incident, along with images of the damage.

Once all details have been submitted, a transaction number will be provided to applicants via email.

Police in Ras Al Khaimah on Sunday urged members of the public to avoid flood-risk areas.

The force said the Wadi Shawka dam had "reached full capacity", caused by persistent rain over the weekend.

Al Ain had been lashed by heavy rain on Friday, causing hazardous conditions on roads.