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Beware: Rain and landslides forecast

ABU DHABI/DUBAI - Abu Dhabi and parts of Dubai were hit by a sandstorm on Monday, causing issues on the roads.

The storm hit Abu Dhabi and parts of Dubai early afternoon causing minor traffic snarls and lack of visibility for motorists.

Sufiyan Salah, Meteorologist and Cloud Seeding Operator at the National Centre for Meteorology and Seisomology (NCMS) said: “Strong surface winds moving at the speed of over 60km per hour caused the dust storm in Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas. The storm settled after 2pm.”

He added that visibility was reduced to less than 100 metres.

The NCMS put out a rough sea warning on Monday and asked the seafarers to be alert.

Motorists have also been advised to take precaution while driving due to low visibility caused by bad weather. The motorists driving along valleys were advised to take extra caution as landslides, active winds and low visibility are forecast.

Meteorologists have predicted that it will rain in the Northern and Eastern regions of the country.

“Clouds have accumulated over the Western Regions and have started to move towards the East. In the northern region, winds were moving at 80km per hour. Moderate to heavy rain has been forecast in Hatta and towards the north, up to Khorfakkan.”

He added that motorists must be careful especially near water collectors and running valleys in the North Eastern region. Cumulus clouds, thunderstorm and lightning will cause severe disturbance at sea, a statement from the NCMS said.

“Motorists must be very careful since visibility is less than 100 metres in some parts,” added Salah.

However, some commuters travelling within and between emirates said traffic was smooth.

Divya Narwani, a teacher in Dubai, said she had encountered the sandstorm. “I left my work place at 4.30pm. The dusty weather did cause some amount of inconvenience, but nothing that I could not manage.”

Dubai reisdent Suhail Hussain said though visibility was poor earlier in the day, traffic was moving smoothly by 5.30pm.

Another commuter Anil Jaiswani added: “I work in Karama and live in Sharjah. Apart from the usual traffic between Sharjah and Dubai, there wasn’t any additional visibility problem.”

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com