DUBAI // Heavy rain and hail lashed Dubai and the Northern Emirates on Wednesday as officials at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology warned the winter weather will last until at least the weekend.
Hail was reported in Malaiha in Sharjah on Wednesday and Rashidiya in Dubai, while rain, thunder and lightning lashed parts of Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Tennis fans took cover from ring-size hailstones as matches at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships were postponed after a downpour.
“We came prepared with umbrellas for rain but not for it to be pouring hailstones,” said tennis enthusiast Ruchi Bhushan.
“It really hurt because it hit us hard as we were taking shelter. It was over in 3-4 minutes. The hailstones bounced off the seats, stairs and broke off when it hit the concrete.”
The 5pm matches have been postponed until 9pm while the courts were mopped dry.
Thick fog caused also problems for early morning commuters on Wednesday, with visibility down to a few feet in places.
The fog and mist affected main highways in parts of Sharjah and Dubai, although police did not report any major accidents despite slow traffic for most of the morning.
“There is fog on external roads from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and traffic jams as everyday on Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed and Emirate Roads from Sharjah to Dubai,” said an officer at the traffic and patrol department at Dubai Police.
Police patrols were sent in Sharjah to help the flow of traffic, said Maj Abdulrahman Khatir, manager of traffic awareness branch at the traffic and patrols department at Sharjah Police.
“The mist is very normal, and the patrol cars are everywhere and there is no car accidents and no delay to work and schools and the traffic movement is as everyday,” he said.
Minor accidents were reported near Jebel Ali on the road from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and on Garhoud Bridge near Zabeel park.
Dubai police tweeted an appeal to motorists to drive carefully.
“We always urge motorists to leave a space between vehicles and not to drive over the speed limit, these are the main causes of accidents and we ask them not to get distracted by mobile phones,” a police spokesman said.
Motorists were also advised to avoid mountain areas, valleys and streams and to take care while driving through flooded areas as water may affect braking distances.
Temperatures are expected to peak at 26°C in the next few days, then drop to 22°C. Rough seas are also predicted and people are advised to stay out of the water.
roueiti@thenational.ae
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20turbocharged%204-cyl%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E300bhp%20(GT)%20330bhp%20(Modena)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh299%2C000%20(GT)%2C%20Dh369%2C000%20(Modena)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Hydrogen: Market potential
Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.
"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.
Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.
The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
Most F1 world titles
7 — Michael Schumacher (1994, ’95, 2000, ’01 ’02, ’03, ’04)
7 — Lewis Hamilton (2008, ’14,’15, ’17, ’18, ’19, ’20)
5 — Juan Manuel Fangio (1951, ’54, ’55, ’56, ’57)
4 — Alain Prost (1985, ’86, ’89, ’93)
4 — Sebastian Vettel (2010, ’11, ’12, ’13)
