Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National

Environment

Morning fog causes traffic jam on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai

Visibility was reduced to less than 1,000 metres in some areas

Haneen Dajani
Haneen Dajani
UAE

October 06, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Long tailbacks were reported on E11 highway in Dubai as morning fog covered the emirate on Tuesday morning.

The National Centre of Meteorology issued an alert of fog building up around 2am and is expected to continue until 9:30am.

Fog also enveloped parts of the Northern Emirates.

Weather forecasters said visibility will be reduced in some internal and coastal areas.

A map posted by the centre on Twitter showed patches of fog over Sharjah, Dubai and Al Ruwais.

Visibility was reduced to less than 1,000 metres in these areas.

Abu Dhabi Police warned motorists to drive with caution and follow the speed limits.

In Raknah, in the east, the temperature was just 17.3°C at 6.30am.

The maximum temperature in the country will hit 43°C, while the lowest will be around 22 to 26°C.

“Light to moderate winds, freshening at times will blow dust and sand, across the country, with a speed of 15–25km/hr, reaching 35 km/hr,” said NCMS.

Fifty of the best UAE fog images

  • Reem Island in Abu Dhabi is covered in 2018. Emmanuel Samoglou / The National
    Reem Island in Abu Dhabi is covered in 2018. Emmanuel Samoglou / The National
  • Miguel Angel Jimenez and other golfers on the fog covered range at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2011. Mike Young / The National
    Miguel Angel Jimenez and other golfers on the fog covered range at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2011. Mike Young / The National
  • Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Towers in Dubai Media City during the early morning fog in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    Towers in Dubai Media City during the early morning fog in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Fairmont Marina peeks through the fog on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, on a sunny morning. Victor Besa / The National
    The Fairmont Marina peeks through the fog on the Corniche, Abu Dhabi, on a sunny morning. Victor Besa / The National
  • Morning fog descends over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
    Morning fog descends over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
  • The ground below is swallowed up by fog in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The ground below is swallowed up by fog in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Only the tallest buildings in Dubai sometimes escape the blanket. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Only the tallest buildings in Dubai sometimes escape the blanket. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Window cleaners work on Al Ain Tower with view of Etihad Towers in the background in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Erica ElKhershi / The National
    Window cleaners work on Al Ain Tower with view of Etihad Towers in the background in Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi. Erica ElKhershi / The National
  • A variety of light captured during fog in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
    A variety of light captured during fog in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National
  • A fisherman on a misty morning in 2016. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    A fisherman on a misty morning in 2016. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Morning fog burns off near Electra Street in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2008. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    Morning fog burns off near Electra Street in Abu Dhabi on December 31, 2008. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Fog in Abu Dhabi seen from The Gate Towers on Reem Island in 2015. Irene García León for The National
    Fog in Abu Dhabi seen from The Gate Towers on Reem Island in 2015. Irene García León for The National
  • A light fog covers the Dubai skyline in 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
    A light fog covers the Dubai skyline in 2015. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Cars drive through the morning fog on 24th street in Abu Dhabi in 2009. Galen Clarke / The National
    Cars drive through the morning fog on 24th street in Abu Dhabi in 2009. Galen Clarke / The National
  • Gate Towers on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island in 2013. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Gate Towers on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island in 2013. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Fog over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
    Fog over Dubai Marina in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed bridge engulfed in fog in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National.
    Sheikh Zayed bridge engulfed in fog in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National.
  • Abu Dhabi city on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Abu Dhabi city on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Fog in the city of Abu Dhabi on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Fog in the city of Abu Dhabi on Christmas morning, 2017. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The UAE flag stands in the clear against a misty backdrop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The UAE flag stands in the clear against a misty backdrop in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A lady takes her morning walk amid the fog at the Khalifa City A in 2018. Victor Besa / The National
    A lady takes her morning walk amid the fog at the Khalifa City A in 2018. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fog engulfed with high humidity in Abu Dhabi. Rajesh Korde / The National
    Fog engulfed with high humidity in Abu Dhabi. Rajesh Korde / The National
  • The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • A man goes for an early morning cycle as fog covers Dubai on September 21, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A man goes for an early morning cycle as fog covers Dubai on September 21, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Misty conditions around JBR in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
    Misty conditions around JBR in Dubai. Sarah Dea / The National
  • A worker walks through Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    A worker walks through Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Fog over Dubai Marina. Courtesy Ollie Maher
    Fog over Dubai Marina. Courtesy Ollie Maher
  • Towers in JLT in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
    Towers in JLT in Dubai in April 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Cars emerge from early morning fog on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Cars emerge from early morning fog on Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Dense fog blankets the Abu Dhabi skyline with Etihad Towers visible. Erica ElKhershi / The National
    Dense fog blankets the Abu Dhabi skyline with Etihad Towers visible. Erica ElKhershi / The National
  • Workers during early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Workers during early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    Dense fog engulfs Abu Dhabi's Al Maryah Island in December 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Early morning fog in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The sun tries to break through a foggy sky in Dubai. Rajesh Korde / The National
    The sun tries to break through a foggy sky in Dubai. Rajesh Korde / The National
  • The Corniche in Abu Dhabi in February 2018. Victor Besa / The National
    The Corniche in Abu Dhabi in February 2018. Victor Besa / The National
  • The Dubai high rises peek out above the fog. Sarah Dea / The National
    The Dubai high rises peek out above the fog. Sarah Dea / The National
  • Fog hovers in Ras Al Khaimah. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
    Fog hovers in Ras Al Khaimah. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
  • A gloomy start to a day in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Delores Johnson / The National
    A gloomy start to a day in Abu Dhabi in 2013. Delores Johnson / The National
  • A morning fog rolls in over Abu Dhabi at the public beach in Al Bateen on October 28, 2009. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    A morning fog rolls in over Abu Dhabi at the public beach in Al Bateen on October 28, 2009. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • Buildings on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi wrapped in fog in 2013. Brian Kerrigan / The National
    Buildings on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi wrapped in fog in 2013. Brian Kerrigan / The National
  • Thick morning fog over Dubai Marina. Mark Asquith / The National
    Thick morning fog over Dubai Marina. Mark Asquith / The National
  • Early morning fog around the Dubai Marina area. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Early morning fog around the Dubai Marina area. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Dubai Marina has almost vanished in the fog with just the walkway visible in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
    Dubai Marina has almost vanished in the fog with just the walkway visible in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • Dubai Marina in a mix of sunshine and fog in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
    Dubai Marina in a mix of sunshine and fog in 2014. Jaime Puebla / The National
  • Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fog reported in areas of Dubai, the Northern Emirates and Al Dhafra on Tuesday. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The seaside takes on a calm serenity in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
    The seaside takes on a calm serenity in 2017. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Fog during the morning in the Tecom area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Fog during the morning in the Tecom area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Reem Island's Gate Towers stand tall above the cloud line in Abu Dhabi. Thamer Al Subaihi / The National
    Reem Island's Gate Towers stand tall above the cloud line in Abu Dhabi. Thamer Al Subaihi / The National
  • Despite heavy fog in Abu Dhabi, a woman spends the morning along the shore in January 2011. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    Despite heavy fog in Abu Dhabi, a woman spends the morning along the shore in January 2011. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

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Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

WISH
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Chris%20Buck%2C%20Fawn%20Veerasunthorn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ariana%20DeBose%2C%20Chris%20Pine%2C%20Alan%20Tudyk%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWafeq%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJanuary%202019%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadim%20Alameddine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Esoftware%20as%20a%20service%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERaed%20Ventures%20and%20Wamda%2C%20among%20others%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Secret Pigeon Service: Operation Colomba, Resistance and the Struggle to Liberate Europe
Gordon Corera, Harper Collins

While you're here
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

UAEEnvironment