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
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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
