A quick glance at the traffic map of Dubai showed streaks of red and deep red on key roads.
A motorist Khaleej Times spoke to had been stuck in a traffic jam in JLT for the about 90 minutes.
"There was some sewage work going on in front of Cluster V earlier today. So 2-3 lanes were blocked," she said when Khaleej Times spoke to her at 7.17 pm. An hour later, at 8.16pm, she was still stuck in the same traffic jam.
"Not sure if an accident has taken place. Saw a police car pass about 10 mins back. Entire traffic at a standstill," she told Khaleej Times earlier.
As of 7.26pm, the traffic was heavy on the Sheikh Zayed Road from Business Bay area right until the World Trade Centre roundabout.
Traffic was also slow on the Financial Centre Road, Al Wasl Road, and Al Safa Street.
Slow-moving traffic was also to be found on Al Khail Road as one crossed the canal, and spilled on to Rebat Street and Nad Al Hamar Road.
The situation wasn't any better on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road. Traffic had started to build up as the motorists approached the Ras Al Khor Road cloverleaf, all the way up to Sharjah.