Heavy rain lashes Abu Dhabi

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  Rain clouds hover over central Abu Dhabi. Aaron Gray / The National

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  The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology on Tuesday reported heavy rain in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bani Yas. Delores Johnson / The National

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  The sky above the capital turned dark at noon on Tuesday as heavy rain fell across the emirate. Delores Johnson / The National

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  Office-goers had to bring out the umbrellas on Tuesday. Delores Johnson / The National

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  The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology forecast that the rainy weather and thunderstorms would continue until Thursday. Delores Johnson / The National

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  The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology on Tuesday reported heavy rain in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bani Yas. Delores Johnson / The National

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  Photographs of the heavy rain were a regular feature on Tuesday. Ravindranath K / The National

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  People take shelter along Fatima bint Mubarak street in Abu Dhabi. Christopher Pike / The National

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  Drivers negotiate a flooded road in Abu Dhabi. Ravindranath K / The National

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  The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology forecast that the rainy weather and thunderstorms would continue until Thursday. Wam

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  Many parts of the country registered high rainfall between Saturday and Monday, including Khatam Al Shakla 10.2mm, Jebel Hafeet 7mm, Al Showeib 6.2mm, Abo Al Abyath 5.2mm, Al Foa’a 4.2mm and Sir Bani Yas 3.4mm. Sweiha and Ruwais received 3.2mm each. Wam

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  The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology forecast that the rainy weather and thunderstorms would continue until Thursday. Wam

ABU DHABI // The sky above the capital turned dark at noon on Tuesday as heavy rain fell across the emirate.

Vehicles slowed and drivers turned on their headlights as pools of water formed on the roads.

“I haven’t seen such rains in my stay here,” said Abu Dhabi resident Mohammed Hanif, who has lived in the capital for 10 years.

“It has continued to rain time and time again since Monday. I can’t go out to carry out my duties because the roads turned slippery and riding a bike in the rain is too dangerous,” said Mr Hanif, a pest controller in the capital.

“I could only do one job this morning but avoided others. I returned to my accommodation and couldn’t take my bike out,” he said.

The National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology on Tuesday reported heavy rain in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bani Yas.

Temperatures across the country also fell, with the lowest temperature, 12.3°C, recorded at Jais Mountain at 6am.

Maximum temperatures in the interior on Tuesday hovered between 24°C and 28°C with lows between 14°C and 19°C.

Many parts of the country registered high rainfall between Saturday and Monday, including Khatam Al Shakla 10.2mm, Jebel Hafeet 7mm, Al Showeib 6.2mm, Abo Al Abyath 5.2mm, Al Foa’a 4.2mm and Sir Bani Yas 3.4mm. Sweiha and Ruwais received 3.2mm each.

The NCMS forecast that the rainy weather and thunderstorms would continue until Thursday.

The Met department in Abu Dhabi said: “The unstable weather will continue to affect the UAE and the cloud amount will increase, with thundery clouds associated with fresh to strong winds.”

The centre also warned motorists to exercise caution on roads owing to low visibility caused by heavy rains. It also cautioned people about slippery roads and flooding in valleys.

The rainy weather may also cause flooding in mountainous eastern and northern areas of the country, the centre warned.

Another resident, Hazim Sheikh from Pakistan, said: “It’s good that we got some respite from scorching heat of the country. I feel happy because much of the nice weather is going to continue.

“It’s rare to see such rains here, so it’s lovely to enjoy it,” said Mr Sheikh, who has lived in the country for 15 years.

Col Saif Al Mazrouei, director-general of Dubai Traffic Police, urged motorists to drive cautiously on the roads in rainy weather, to take preventive measures and fully comply with traffic laws and leave enough space between vehicles.

Traffic accidents in wet weather are often quite serious because of reduced visibility, especially if coupled with reckless driving or speeding, he said.

The General Department of Traffic will be taking preventive measures in the coming days, with more patrols on the roads throughout the emirate to alleviate traffic congestion.

Col Al Mazrouei emphasised the need to exercise caution and slow down on wet roads and to ensure that all parts of the vehicle were functional, urging all road users to cooperate with police to ensure smooth traffic flow and for the safety of people and property alike.