Unsettled UAE weather prompts safety warning

The National staff

ABU DHABI // Residents have been warned to take precautions if camping or travelling outdoors during the unsettled weather affecting the country at present.

Maj Gen Jasim Mohammad Al Marzouqui, general commander-in-chief of Civil Defence at the Ministry of Interior, said recent torrential rain had increased the risks of landslides and flash floods.

People planning camping trips must monitor weather reports and avoid areas prone to flooding, including valleys, water canals and low-lying areas submerged in water, he told state news agency Wam.

He also cautioned against swimming in floodwater, crossing valleys filled with water and urged parents to watch over young children.

Residents were also warned against using radio devices and mobile phones in open areas during thunderstorms.

Partly cloudy weather with moderate winds is forecast for the next two days with fog and mist in the western region and interior, according to the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology.

The alert came after the death of a mother and three young children in a flash flood in Ras Al Khaimah after their car was stuck in floodwaters in Wadi Al Qor on Wednesday. The father of the children was rescued by police.