Rain disrupts road traffic, flights in UAE

DUBAI: Heavy rain, thunder and lightning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) not only disrupted traffic on the roads but air-traffic also affected.

Several flights in and out of the UAE were delayed, diverted or cancelled on Saturday due to the ongoing poor weather conditions. The Dubai Airports Authority has also decided to delay the departure of other flights due to heavy rains at airport. They also urged all passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport to check their updated flight schedules before heading to the airport.

Fifteen flights have been diverted from Dubai International Airport to other neighbouring airports on Saturday due to unstable weather conditions, according to Dubai Airport officials.

While, Etihad Airways spokesman stated; "Abu Dhabi is again experiencing unstable weather patterns with intermittent thunderstorms that have caused eight flights to divert to airports within the UAE and GCC. The airline is working to ensure that they return to Abu Dhabi as soon as possible.”

UAE experienced heavy rain with thunder on Friday and Saturday morning. Residents in several parts of the country, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, heard rolling thunderstorm before sunrise and woke up to rainfall.

The National Center of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) predicted that the unstable weather is forecast to continue until Monday, with clouds and more rain expected to fall across the country.

Mountainous areas in Fujairah, Ras Al Khimah and Al Ain; the city of Abu Dhabi also witnessed heavy rain, with their roads flooded with water.

Pakistanis living in Al Ain told The News International that they had been experiencing water logging and overflowing after heavy rain in the city.  The NCMS added "Strong winds are expected, especially over the coastal areas. Winds over the seas will cause rough weather in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman."