Abu Dhabi schools to stay open throughout bad weather, regulator says

Headteachers should continue lessons unless schools suffer damage

A municipal worker drains flood waters close to Ibn Battuta and Discovery Gardens on Sunday. Ruel Pableo for The National

Signs were blown down across the city. Ruel Pableo for The National

A driver tries to drain water from his car near Ibn Battuta mall. Ruel Pableo for The National

An abandoned car sits in flood water near the low-lying Discovery Gardens, one of the worst-hit areas. Ruel Pableo for The National

Drivers were caught out by sudden downpours for a third day in a row on Sunday, with many getting stuck. Ruel Pableo for The National

Motorists appear to have abandoned their vehicles in this image from Ibn Battuta. Ruel Pableo for The National

A rainbow appears among the clouds in Abu Dhabi. Talib Jariwala / The National

Cloudy weather once again around the Corniche area in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

High winds caused damage to many buildings, including this one in Abu Dhabi's Tourist Club area. Khushnum Bhandari for The National

Dark clouds over the skyline of Dubai with Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. AFP

The sign for Last Exit food truck park in Jebel Ali was torn by high winds. Ruel Pableo for The National

So was this advert for Nakheel properties on Sheikh Zayed Road. Ruel Pableo for The National

Torn billboards flutter in high winds on Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday. Ruel Pableo for The National

The low-lying Jebel Ali area is particularly badly hit. Ruel Pableo for The National

Flooding at a car park by lorries and buses in Jebel Ali on Sunday morning. Ruel Pableo for The National

Municipality workers use a pump at a waterlogged road in Internet City on Sunday. Ruel Pableo for The National

Roads around Internet City were waterlogged after a fresh downpour about 7.30am on Sunday. Ruel Pableo

Commuters head to work through Discovery Gardens. Ruel Pableo for The National

A municipality worker clearing debris in Discovery Gardens. Ruel Pableo foir The National

Rain clouds loom over the road to Abu Dhabi at 7am on Sunday morning. Commuters were hit with patches of driving rain from about 8am. Suhail Rather / The National

Municipal workers attempt to clear a flooded tunnel in Sharjah on Sunday morning. Courtesy: Sharjah Municipality

The National Center for Search and Rescue said the first rescue mission took place on Saturday morning when they received a report about two men being trapped due to flash floods in Wadi Ghashabah. A helicopter was immediately dispatched to the site where the two men, of Sudanese nationality, were found clinging to a tree about 50 meters away from the Wadi banks. The rescue team managed to airlift the men and take them to safety. Courtesy NSRC

Flooding on Al Ishoush St, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Flooding on Al Ishoush St, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Overcast skies over Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters battle high water along the Al Manara and Beach road intersection. Antonie Robertson / The National

Heavy rains in Dubai during the night caused extensive flooding at intersections within the city. Antonie Robertson / The National

Commuters battle high water along the Al Manara and Beach road intersection. Antonie Robertson / The National

Water is logged outside the Movenpick Ibn Batutta Gate Hotel from heavy overnight rain. James O'Hara / The National

Water is logged outside the Movenpick Ibn Batutta Gate Hotel from heavy overnight rain. James O'Hara / The National

Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road going to Abu Dhabi. Ramola Talwar / The National

Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road going to Abu Dhabi. Ramola Talwar / The National

A car drives through a waterlogged road near Al Bateen airport. Scott Walker

A delivery van struggles to navigate flood waters near Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi on Saturday about 9am. Courtesy: Scott Walker

A man sweeps water from the running track along Kite Beach. Antonie Robertson / The National

Residents of The Greens enjoy their morning walk in the early drizzle. Antonie Robertson / The National

Barsha Heights saw a medium amount of flooding that still proved challenging to morning commuters. Antonie Robertson / The National

Barsha Heights saw a medium amount of flooding that still proved challenging to morning commuters. Antonie Robertson / The National

A municipality worker supervises water being pumped from flooding along the roads near Kite Beach. Antonie Robertson / The National

A waiter at Burts in The Greens sweeps away some water to get ready for the business day. Antonie Robertson/The National

Residents of The Greens get out their umbrellas today for their morning walk. Antonie Robertson / The National

Flooding in Barsha Heights. Antonie Robertson / The National

Residents of The Greens get out their umbrellas today for their morning walk. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Greens saw heavy rain that left the streets wet. Antonie Robertson / The National

Residents of The Greens enjoy their morning walk in the early drizzle. Antonie Robertson / The National

A municipality worker supervises water being pumped from flooding along the roads near Kite Beach. Antonie Robertson / The National

Parking areas in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai were inundated with water and residents raced to get their cars to safer spots following heavy overnight rainfall on Saturday. Courtesy: Antonie Abreu

Flooding in Discovery Gardens. Courtesy: Antonio Abreu

Abu Dhabi schools should remain open throughout bad weather, the education regulator said.

Headteachers should only close for the day if the building suffers damage or if there are safety concerns, the emirate’s Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) said in a text message alert.

The government-run weather centre forecast more rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, but it is not expected to be as heavy as the three-day weekend deluge.

Schools in the capital must seek permission from Adek before closing or straying from school term times. In Dubai, for example, the private school regulator KHDA allows headteachers to close at their discretion.

“Due to the recent weather conditions, Adek has permitted private & charter schools with weather-related damage to close to ensure students’ safety,” the Adek message said.

“Schools which have not experienced any damage will continue as usual.

“Continue to monitor your school's communication channels for updates. Please use caution while driving to school.”

A number of schools in Dubai suffered damage when an estimated year’s worth of rain fell on some parts of the country.

In Dubai, figures suggest 150mm of rain fell each hour, for two-and-a-half hours, at the peak of the downpours. During a typical January in the Emirates, about 10mm of rain falls on average.

Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah were also heavily flooded.

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Dubai families count the cost of flood damage to homes

Sultan Al Mughiri at his villa in Rashidiya, near Dubai Festival City. He had to carry his dad, who is on kidney dialysis, through flood waters to a waiting ambulance. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Family members try to clean up after returning home on Monday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Piles of ruined furniture and possessions at the side of a road in Rashidiya. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Soaked furniture dries in the sun outside Sultan Al Mughiri's villa. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Families tried to protect their belongings by piling them high on beds. Chris Whiteoak / The National

They worry the area's shallow drains will not cope with more rain forecast for this week - though it is not expected to be nearly as heavy as the weekend. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Reporter: Nick Webster: The inside of Sultan Al Mughiri's villa on Street 4A. Flooding in Rashidiya area of Dubai. Monday, January 13th, 2020. Rashidiya, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Homeowners returned to find sludge and water damage on Sunday and Monday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Taleb and his neighbours were also flooded in early December. He urged the authorities to look at a better drainage system. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Possessions are left outside to dry in the sun on Monday. Chris Whiteoak / The National