Sandbags, flood barriers: How Dubai communities, residents prepared for heavy rains

NCEMA issues alert, warns against entering wadis

UAE’s Crisis Management authority has warned against entering valleys or wadis that may overflow — becoming dangerous quickly.

The alert was issued in multiple languages in an effort to warn all residents.

Sheikh Hamdan shares magnificent photo of Burj Al Arab in lightning

Photos: Sharjah residents wade through knee-deep water after heavy rains

In Sharjah’s Al Khan, rainwater has accumulated in low-lying areas causing waterlogging across large areas. Residents could be seen wading through knee-deep waters to get to

Yellow, orange alerts issued for convective clouds

UAE’s NCM has issued yellow, orange alerts for convective clouds all over the country till 11.30am. Take a look at the affected areas:

How some communities prepared for downpour

Several communities across the country were well-prepared for the storm this time around, having learned from the historic rainfall in April 2024.

This community close to the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border set up flood barriers around the buildings. Sandbags were also placed around entrances of community spaces.

Finally, to avoid flooding in any low-lying areas, a water tanker was ready at standby to collect any rainwater accumulation. Take a look at these photos sent in by a KT reader:

Some showers in Abu Dhabi

Isolated showers are reportedly building around Abu Dhabi city area, according to a KT reader.

Hearing the buzz of mosquitoes?

As rains subside, mosquitoes are bound to follow — especially, in areas of large water bodies or with more greenery.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has shared ways to prevent breeding of mosquitoes:

• Empty containers of stagnant water

• Clean areas where rainwater collects

• Ensure the quality of drainage pipes

• Dispose of garbage properly

• Plant mosquito-repelling plants

• Regularly trim grass and plants

• Use mosquito control tablets or larvicides

• Use mosquito traps

Some Dubai bus routes affected

Dubai’s RTA has said that some bus routes may be affected by weather conditions.

Abu Dhabi confirms continuity of electricity, water services

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy confirmed the continuity of electricity and water services.

Residents tape kup windows

From sandbagging their doors to putting up plastic sheets on windows, some residents went the extra mile to ensure no rainwater made it into their homes.

Take a look at some photographs shared by a KT reader of their Dubai community:

Wadi flows in Ras Al Khaimah

Watch: Man airlifted to safety in Oman

Police in Oman carried out a rescue operation for a citizen after his vehicle was swept away in Wadi Matam in the Dhofar Governorate. He was then transported to a safe area in good health.

Delivery riders not obliged to take orders in rains

One video, shared with Khaleej Times, shows a Talabat delivery rider soldering on as the street is engulfed in rainwater, reaching up to half of the motorcycle the rider is on.

Delivery companies say riders are not required to take in orders and drive in these weather conditions, and that their safety is of utmost importance, KT’s Hind Aldah reports.

In response to the aforementioned video, Talabat confirmed to Khaleej Times that it was an isolated incident and does not reflect how the delivery company operates.

“The safety of our riders is and will remain our top priority,” it said.

Talabat added that its riders aren’t obliged to continue delivering in unstable weather conditions if they don’t feel safe, adding that they can “go offline at any time without consequence.”

“Decisions are made in real time based on live data, on-ground input, and continuous monitoring of conditions, which can change quickly across locations. Any incidents identified are reviewed immediately and addressed,” it said in a statement to Khaleej Times.

What the radar says

This weather radar snapshot reveals an extensive and active rain system sweeping across the UAE, with storm cells of varying intensity stretching from the Arabian Gulf coastline deep into surrounding waters.

The colour-coded imagery, where green indicates light to moderate rainfall, blue denotes heavier precipitation, and red and orange signal the most intense downpours, shows multiple clusters of significant convective activity.

The most powerful cells, visible in red and orange, are concentrated to the east and along the Gulf, with a particularly intense storm system pushing in from the right side of the frame, suggesting the heaviest weather has already made landfall.

Watch stunning video of Dubai as rains hit

As rains lashed the country, Dubai’s stunning architecture stood tall and shone through the night. Take a look at this magnificent video from Dubai Media Office:

Forecast today

The National Centre of Meteorology said that the country will continue to be affected by a rainy weather system until tonight.

There remains a chance for rain clouds to form over scattered areas of the country, accompanied by rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy at times, continuing until tonight.

Winds will be light to moderate Southeasterly to Northeasterly becoming Northwesterly, and will blow fresh to strong at times. They will cause blowing dust and sand, reduction in horizontal visibility as they hit speeds of 15-30kmph, reaching 60 kmph at times. The sea will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and in Oman Sea.

The highest temperature in Dubai and Sharjah will be 25°C, while the lowest will be 22°C and 21°C, respectively. Temperatures in Abu Dhabi will range between 21°C and 26°C.

Trees sway as overnight storms lash UAE

Thunderstorms struck the nation overnight as trees swayed in the strong winds. Many residents were awoken with the constant lightning and thunder as incessant rains fell across the country.

Authorities issued repeated alerts asking motorists to be safe if they must be on the roads.

According to the UAE’s Met Department, today is the last day of unstable weather conditions in the country, with the situation expected to ease over the weekend.

Source: Khaleej Times