Latest: Weekend rainstorm brings chaos to Dubai and Abu Dhabi roads
The UAE is facing widespread flooding as storms continue to lash cities and towns across the country, with heavy rain expected on Saturday in northern, eastern and coastal areas.
Red warnings remain in place for much of the Emirates and the National Centre of Meteorology is urging people to take extreme caution in the treacherous conditions.
Heavy showers and thunderstorms have drenched cities across the country on Friday night, forcing people to wade through ankle deep water to reach home.
#Alert #NCM pic.twitter.com/JsK3uRBxgS
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) January 10, 2020
Roads across the country have been closed due to flooding.
The centre posted videos of heavy rains coming down in cities across the country including in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where wet weather is predicted to continue throughout the weekend, and warned that strong winds could pick up sand and dust, reducing visibility.
أمطار غزيرة على #الشارقة #المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد #أمطار_الخير #استمطار #تلقيح_السحب #هواة_الطقس #أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد pic.twitter.com/0dCOQp0XsZ
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) January 11, 2020
The worst of the rain predicted for Dubai on Saturday will be in the morning and could last into the afternoon before easing off in the evening.
The forecast for Abu Dhabi promises a similar day of heavy rain for much of the day, but there is a chance of further showers on Saturday night.
Conditions in the UAE in general could improve by Sunday, however, but the National Centre of Meteorology has warned that dropping temperatures could bring snow and hail in mountainous areas.
Seas are likely to be extremely rough throughout the weekend.
The UAE has been hit by heavy storms since Thursday, bringing a risk of flash flooding.
Police in Ras Al Khaimah were forced to close the Jebel Jais road due to unstable weather as the storms hit on Thursday.
Hail pummelled the desert in Abu Dhabi’s western Al Dhafra region on Thursday, while the base of Jebel Hafit in Al Ain had minor flooding.
Shindagha Days, a 10-day cultural festival in Dubai’s creekside historic district, was forced to close on Friday due to the unstable weather.
