Safety alert issued as heavy rain, hail, thunder hit parts of UAE

Residents in the UAE received warnings of adverse weather conditions via SMSs on Monday morning, as heavy rain, thunder, lightning and hail affected large parts of the country.

In the alert, residents were advised to stay away from beaches, to take caution while driving and urged to "avoid areas of valleys, torrent flows, and low places... and adhere to the instructions of the authorities".

#أمطار_الخير #العين #المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد ⁧⁧#أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد⁩ #حالة_الطقس #حالة_جوية ⁧#هواة_الطقس⁩ pic.twitter.com/WQQT5x3tZJ

— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) February 12, 2024

Abu Dhabi Police have reduced speed limits across key roads, while Sharjah Police announced the closure of the ring road in the city of Kalba (Mohammed bin Zayed City Intersection) due to heavy rain.

Drivers have been advised to "take alternative routes at the time of closure, and not to approach flooded areas near valleys and dams.

تنوه إدارة شرطة المنطقة الشرقية بشرطة الشارقة عن إغلاق الطريق الدائري بمدينة كلباء "تقاطع مدينة محمد بن زايد"، وذلك بسبب الأمطار الغزيرة على الطريق؛ وعليه يرجى من الإخوة السائقين توخي الحيطة والحذر، واتخاذ الطرق البديلة وقت الإغلاق، وعدم الاقتراب من أماكن جريان الأودية والسدود.

— شرطة الشارقة (@ShjPolice) February 12, 2024

The unstable weather conditions will continue throughout the day, the National Center of Meteorology said in its forecast.

#أمطار_الخير#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
#Rain#NCM pic.twitter.com/Lk6WaTyBB7

— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) February 11, 2024

Keeping safety in mind, schools and offices across the country have issued flexible work patterns.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, declared Monday to be a remote working day for employees of all Dubai government entities, with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issuing a similar advisory for the private sector.