On Thursday, the UAE issued an orange alert in anticipation of severe weather, including thunderstorms and heavy rain. Some locals relished the opportunity to work from the comfort of their own homes, while others were startled awake by the deluge of rain and strong gusts that swept through their neighborhoods.
An orange alert reverberated across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, signaling the onset of heavy rains and thunderstorms. While for some, the day offered the luxury of working from home, others were rudely awakened by the relentless downpour and fierce winds that swept through their neighborhoods in the early hours. In the northern regions, the landscape was transformed into a spectacle as waterfalls cascaded down mountainsides beneath brooding rain clouds.
In anticipation of this wave of tumultuous weather, which meteorologists predict will reach its climax between May 2nd and May 3rd, the UAE has undertaken extensive preparations to ensure the safety of its citizens. Safety advisories have been disseminated across all sectors, prompting schools to shift to distance learning and encouraging businesses to facilitate remote work arrangements for their employees. Public amenities such as parks and beaches have been closed as a precautionary measure, while airports and airlines have been on high alert, bracing for the impending impact of the storm.
Since the stroke of midnight, heavy rains have relentlessly battered the country, with Dubai experiencing showers and lightning as early as 2:35 am, according to alerts issued by the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Although the severity of these rains is expected to be less than the unprecedented deluge witnessed earlier in the month, the public is strongly urged to exercise caution and take necessary safety measures.