A storm that caused widespread flooding across the UAE's cities last week appears to have turned one of the country's deserts into a temporary oasis.
In a video, shared by the Storm Centre on Twitter on Sunday, lakes of pooled rainwater can be seen between the towering sand dunes of Al Ain's desert.
The video appears to have been captured by a drone, though it is not known when the footage was shot.
Large pools of water can be seen settled between the desert's red-hued sand dunes, which is normally among the hottest, and driest, places on the planet.
The area around Al Ain city, part of Abu Dhabi emirate, recorded the most rainfall across the country during the three-day deluge.
In total, 193mm of rain fell at Khatam Al Shaklah, near Al Ain, from January 9 to 12 – which equated to almost three times’ Al Ain’s average rainfall in just four days.
The video echoed images released by Nasa in 2018 that showed the effect of tropical cyclone Mekunu on the Empty Quarter - after the storm dumped several years' worth of rain on the desert, creating temporary lakes between the dunes.
The Empty Quarter, also known as the Rub Al Khali, is the largest single sand mass in the world. It spans 650,000 square kilometers, taking in a third of the Arabian Peninsula, including the UAE – an area larger than France.
The Nasa images were taken of the eastern part of the desert in Saudi Arabia, near the border with Oman. The area usually receives just three centimetres of rain each year.
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Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
