Severe weather conditions swept across various regions of the UAE, causing disruptions in delivery services. Careem, a prominent delivery app, promptly issued an alert prioritizing the safety of its delivery personnel, known as Captains.
They informed users that deliveries might encounter delays or suspensions due to the adverse weather conditions.
Around 11 o'clock in the morning, Careem stopped taking orders from any of the restaurants it listed, and the app even stopped delivering groceries.
While some restaurants and charitable organizations on Talabat continued to operate, a majority either remained closed or were inundated with orders. Noon Minutes, another delivery service, announced a temporary cessation of deliveries citing the weather as the reason.
A bike rider, preferring anonymity, disclosed his decision to refrain from venturing out of his home. In the past, rainy days had presented lucrative opportunities for him to earn extra income by volunteering for deliveries. However, recent stringent enforcement by authorities against riding in inclement weather, including fines imposed on violators, dissuaded him from taking the risk. Consequently, he opted to stay indoors and indulge in leisure activities like watching movies.
Other delivery platforms such as Insta Shop and Deliveroo also cautioned users about operating at reduced capacity, warning of potential delays in order fulfillment. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Police issued a directive urging bike riders to suspend delivery services during unstable weather conditions. Their efforts to promote motorcycle rider safety included organizing workshops focused on enhancing traffic awareness.
Even fuel delivery services, like Cafu, were not exempt from the weather-induced disruptions. Cafu temporarily suspended all deliveries, including emergency services, aligning with regulations set forth by the RTA and Dubai Police. Users attempting to access the app received a notification explaining the temporary unavailability of services and the potential consequences of non-compliance with regulations.
The inclement weather significantly impacted the operational landscape of various delivery services, prompting precautionary measures and temporary suspensions to ensure the safety of personnel and compliance with regulatory requirements.