A giant clean-up operation was under way across the UAE on Monday after a day of heavy rain and strong winds.
Violent storms battered parts of the country on Sunday, leaving roads flooded, trees uprooted and causing significant damage to buildings.
Dramatic video of the extreme weather in Ras Al Khaimah showed one construction crane working on a bridge almost completely submerged by water.
Other footage showed rain cascading into department stores in Dubai Mall and queues of motorists attempting to navigate flooded streets.
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Heavy rain in Dubai on November 10, 2019. Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Fencing comes down as dark clouds and rain batter Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Abu Dhabi residents look out to see as the rain begins to fall. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Faqeet in Fujairah under storm clouds. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Road workers clear the street from flying debris from the strong winds in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Pedestrians protect themselves from the elements during the strong winds and light showers in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
Wind in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Rain and hail reported in Warqa. Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Rain in Dubai. Satish Kumar for The National -
Beach goers sheltering from the rain. Leslie Pableo for The National -
Collapsed lampost near the Corniche, Abu Dhabi. Gerald George for The National -
A flag comes partly free from a building as dark clouds and rain batter the Abu Dhabi coast on Sunday November 10, 2019. Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road during the rain in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
A mother with her child during the rain in the Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Traffic goes through water logged street after heavy rain in Dubai Internet City. Pawan Singh / The National -
Roads were becoming treacherous across the UAE on November 10, 2019 as rain set in across the country. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Dark clouds and rain batter the Abu Dhabi coast on November 10, 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A walker surveys the storm. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Abu Dhabi residents watch the storm as it approaches. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The rain begins to fall in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Boats moored in Abu Dhabi as the rain begins to fall. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Earth collapses in the eastern region of the UAE. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Sharjah suffered early on. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Warnings have been issued to drivers. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Road conditions deteriorted quickly. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
The storm brewing. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre -
Wadi al-Ajili suffered heavy rainfall. Courtesy Twitter/ @Storm_centre
"Take caution while driving when it rains [and during] low visibility," the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said.
“For the safety of all, please follow the weather forecast issued by the National Meteorological Centre.”
On Sunday, the NCM issued their most serious red warning to parts of the Emirates.
It indicated serious damage was likely to be caused to buildings and roads, and that people should avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary.
In Ras Al Khaimah, the towns of Munai and Wadi Sa’am were both hit hard by sudden downpours.
Rainwater swept through the areas at speed, washing away embankments, felling trees and damaging property.
Meanwhile in the capital, footage showed water pouring through the dome-shaped roof of Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Several large trees around the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in the capital were also uprooted by ferocious gusts of wind.
In a further incident, a crane was ripped from its mooring on a construction site in the city before falling on to a neighbouring high-rise.
And in Sharjah, emergency services were called out to rescue a school bus trapped by the flooding.
On Monday, road maintenance teams and street sweepers were out in force across the country assisting with the clean-up.
Debris from the heavy rain and subsequent flooding, including roots and branches of trees as well as construction materials, was strewn over areas of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
