Police receive 1,800 emergency calls after downpour in Dubai

Traffic officers dealt with 66 accidents in a matter of hours on Monday morning

 DUBAI , UNITED ARAB EMIRATES , November 26  ��� 2018 :- Traffic on Sheikh Zayed road during the rain in Dubai. ( Pawan Singh / The National ) For News
Powered by automated translation

Police in Dubai received more than 1,800 emergency calls and dealt with dozens of accidents after rain lashed down on the emirate on Monday morning.

The Dubai Police Command and Control Unit has sent out a safety warning after handling 1,812 calls from 6am to 9am.

They responded to 66 traffic accidents, with low visibility being pinpointed as a major factor in the number of incidents.

Police said no serious injuries resulted from the accidents.

Brigadier Saif Muhair Al Mazrouei, director general of Dubai Police's traffic department, urged motorists to take weather conditions into consideration when behind the wheel, keep a safe distance between vehicles and adjusting their speed.

"Allow extra time for your journey and check your planned route. It’s also advisable to slow down as rain makes roads slippery," he said.

"People should follow safety instructions and regulation to avoid any accidents."

Dubai Police has also stepped up patrols in mountainous areas.

Motorists are being urged not to use their vehicles across desert areas, especially after heavy rain.