Qatar experiences some rains, Dubai comes to a standstill due to flooding
Different parts of Qatar experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, accompanied by strong winds on Monday and Tuesday. While the country’s northern region saw heavy rains and hail, other parts, including Doha, received scattered rainfall.
Northern areas, like Al Shamal and Ruwais, experienced thundery rain with strong winds. The Qatar Meteorology Department said the total amount of rain in the country reached around 45ml by Tuesday early afternoon.
Social media users posted several videos of heavy rains in the country’s northern parts. The sea was also observed to be quite turbulent.
Most parts of Qatar experienced very heavy winds and rough seas. However, there were only minimal rain in Doha and the traffic remained normal, with no major incidents. The city had overcast conditions most times during the day.
With Eid holidays ending, students were expected to restart their classes on Tuesday. But Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education instructed educational institutes to provide online classes for the day in anticipation of adverse weather conditions.
Most banks functioned remotely, with most branches except those in malls remaining closed.
Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed other parts of the GCC, with the UAE and Oman bearing the brunt of nature’s assault.
Dubai’s major international airport started diverting incoming flights on Tuesday as heavy rains lashed the city and caused widespread flooding.
The air hub, which was expecting more than 100 flights on Tuesday evening, briefly stopped its operations in the storm chaos.
Dubai has been paralysed by torrential rains that caused floods around the UAE and Bahrain, and left 18 dead in Oman.
“Due to the continued exceptional weather event currently being experienced in the UAE, Dubai International is temporarily diverting inbound flights due to arrive this evening... until the inclement situation improves,” said a Dubai Airports spokesperson.
Unconfirmed images on social media showed planes taxiing across an apron flooded with standing water.
Similar scenes were repeated across Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE.
Flagship shopping centres — Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates — both suffered flooding. Ankle-deep water was seen in at least one Dubai Metro station, according to images posted on social media.
Roads and residential communities also suffered heavy flooding, with many reporting leaky roofs, doors and windows.
Schools are shut across the UAE and are expected to remain closed on Wednesday, when further storms are forecast.
The Asian Champions League football semifinal between the UAE’s Al Ain and Saudi side Al Hilal, due to be hosted in Al Ain, was postponed for 24 hours because of the weather.
Some inland areas of the UAE recorded more than 80mm of rain over 24 hours, approaching the annual average of about 100mm.
Bahrain was also hit by heavy rain and flooding after being pummelled by thunder and lightning overnight.
The storms descended on the UAE, Bahrain and areas of Qatar after passing over Oman, where they caused deadly floods and left dozens stranded.
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Picture courtesy: Gulf Times
