UAE weather: Rain and hail lash the east coast

Main cities have escaped major downpours so far

The rains led to overflowing wadis. All photographs courtesy National Centre of Meteorology

Downpours hit towns and villages across the eastern region.

Rain and hail fell from Mleiha to Wadi Helio.

The NCM had forecast wet weather.

The aftermath of rains in the Al Hail area.

The rains sent water flowing down wadi beds.

Vehicles slowed down as the weather cut visibility.

Heavy rain and hail hit parts of the UAE's east coast on Monday.

Downpours fell in Sharjah's Wadi Helio, Wadi Mai in Fujairah and Mleiha, among others.

Videos posted to The National Centre of Meteorology's (NCM) social media showed floodwaters racing down wadi beds and cars at a standstill as torrential downpours and hail reduced visibility.

The NCM had warned about the prospect of rain in the east.

"[It will be] partly cloudy at times with a chance of convective clouds eastwards by afternoon, may be rainy and hot during daytime," the NCM said.

It also cautioned that winds of up to 40 kilometres per hour would persist into the next few days, whipping up dust clouds and creating difficult conditions on the roads.

The major cities have escaped major rainfall so far this year, with downpours concentrated chiefly in the east.

The UAE recorded major rainfall figures there last month.

At least 27.7mm of rain was recorded at a gauge in Dibba on April 28, while 17.1mm fell in nearby Dhadna.

The UAE receives, on average, about 100mm of rain a year.

The wild weather comes after a milder than usual winter with long periods of sunshine.

Light rain across the UAE - in pictures

People ride their bicycles during a rainy weather in Al Qudra area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

People ride their bicycles during a rainy weather in Al Qudra area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

People ride their bicycles during a rainy weather in Al Qudra area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Puddles are seen near bicycle racks in in Al Qudra area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Rain in Al Qudra area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

A rainy Friday morning in Al Qudra area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National