Heavy showers on Dafta valley, South East RAK city

A heavy downpour fills the valleys and mountain passes of the Dafta valley. - Supplied photo

Heavy thunder showers poured on Dafta area, 100km south east Ras Al Khaimah city, on Saturday that the close mountainous valleys were filled with water for a long distance of 20km.
The mercury was significantly down at most southern areas of the emirate that the locals and residents went out to enjoy the rare summer rains and clean weather after the end of the storm.
The 1.5hours started from 2.30pm to 4pm, according to Emirati nationals and residents there.
"The heavy summer rains were preceded with unstable weather, sandy storms, and thunder," they said.
The temperature and humidity levels were down during and after the showers, they added. "The heavy rains have purified the air from the sand and dust that filled the area," said Ahmad Qadi, a Pakistani resident there.
Thought the valleys and mountain passes were filled with water, no farms were flooded or badly affected, he added.
Ali Rashid, an Emirati, said they were expecting the rains due to the rough storm and unstable weather all the week long. "It rained heavily for almost 1.5 hours that the close valleys, mainly Dafta Wadi which is locally known as Ham Valley, were filled with water."
Happy about the rains, several residents went out to enjoy the low temperature and humidity. "I do like to enjoy and stand under the rains, particularly in the sweltering summer months," said Muhammad Kassab, Jordanian.
Mohammed Rashid Al Naqbi, a UAE citizen of Dafta area, said the heavy rains have almost covered the old Dafta mountainous area where forefathers used to live for a long time.
"The Shaabia area and public roads at the Dafta area saw medium amounts of rains whereas most of the showers were on the close mountains overlooking the whole area."
Saeed Salem, of Masafi area, 8km off Dafta area, said it rained heavily on the Dafta valley. "I took the family out to enjoy the showers at the close mountainous valleys."
Meanwhile, the RAK police deployed more patrols to control traffic flow at the areas hit with the seasonal showers, and urged drivers to take due precautionary measures.
Warning, a police source said it is so dangerous for people to go out in this unstable weather. "It is so risky to go out or drive under the heavy showers, thunder storm, and thunders."
The mountainous valleys are filled with rain water, he added. "The public are urged to avoid the valleys and slippery roads, and contact the central operations room in case of emergency."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah