Video: 'Wadi bashing’ in UAE rains deadly

General Commander-in-chief of Civil Defence at the UAE Ministry of Interior, Major General Jasim Mohammad Al Marzouqui, has warned of exceptionally unstable weather conditions across the country.

He urged citizens and residents to exercise caution due to potential landslides and flash flooding caused by torrential rain and hailstorm that lashed the UAE yesterday, and reiterated calls for compliance with safety requirements.

People planning wilderness or camping trips are advised to monitor weather changes and avoid areas where rainwater is pooling up, including valleys, natural water canals and areas submerged in water, the official said.

He urged people to refrain from swimming in floodwater and crossing valleys filled with water, avoid low-lying lands and beds of valleys, and keep an eye on their children.

The civil defence commander also urged people not to use radio devices and cell phones in open areas during lighting and thunderstorms.

The Civil Defence broadcasts instructions and updates via official websites and accounts on social networking sites Instagram and Twitter, including those Ministry of Interior’s. Official sources including the National Meteorological Centre provide weather bulletins and advisories for the public to help avoid potential risks and enhance safety.

Snow in UAE: Mountains of Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah go white

The yellow desert sand and grey mountains in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al-Quwain turned white after they were blanketed by snow during a hail storm in the Northern emirates over the past few days.

Snow covered many areas in the desert and mountains in the two emirates during bad weather that saw temperatures dipping to one of their lowest levels in the UAE.

“Many people went to those areas to enjoy the snow, which was followed by heavy rain in some areas…no damage to public property or road closures were reported,” the Arabic language daily Emarat Alyoym said.

Fujairah and its surrounding areas and villages experienced torrential to medium rainfall today.

The rainfall ranged between medium and heavy, and was accompanied by lightning and thunder, causing a drop in temperature and increasing the water flow in the valleys.

The sky is still cloudy which promises more rain in the coming hours.

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