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Look: When UAE was hit by storm 41 years ago during summer

It uprooted several trees and caused a massive sandstorm that reduced visibility to only a few metres, resulting in a number of road accidents

Published: Sat 10 Aug 2024, 6:00 AM

Updated: Sat 10 Aug 2024, 9:34 PM

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Pool of water collected at this Fujairah building site after rain fell in some parts of the Northern Emirates. Photo: WAM File

Pool of water collected at this Fujairah building site after rain fell in some parts of the Northern Emirates. Photo: WAM File

Storms are not uncommon in the UAE during summer. Forty-one years ago, on 10th August 1983, the entire UAE experienced cyclonic storm that flooded some areas, uprooted several trees, and caused a massive sandstorm that reduced visibility to only a few metres, resulting in a number of road accidents.

It was a Wednesday. As reported by Khaleej Times, the hurricane-type storm struck a little after midday. The cyclone moved overland towards the Empty Quarter late evening and only weakened overnight.

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The storm gathered force due to a depression that moved in from the western coast of India, near Mumbai, and intensified over Muscat and Masirah Island off the Oman coast during the early part of the day.

Sandstorms swept across Dubai and the rest of the UAE reducing visibility in many areas. Photo: KT File

Sandstorms swept across Dubai and the rest of the UAE reducing visibility in many areas. Photo: KT File

Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi experienced unusually strong west and south-westerly winds that summer day; while Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Kalba received intermittent rains of light to moderate intensity.

Motorists suffered the brunt of the sudden storm as many of them were caught unawares during the lunchtime rush. The Dubai Police headquarters reported that a number of minor road accidents happened with no serious casualties.

Air traffic, however, operated normally at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, but Sharjah International Airport reported two incoming flights had to be diverted in the afternoon due to poor visibility.

Clouds gather over Abu Dhabi. Pic taken by Khaleej Times photographer Iftikhar Shaheedi showing Abu Dhabi airport road at midday, with unusual clouds and drifting sand on the road.

Clouds gather over Abu Dhabi. Pic taken by Khaleej Times photographer Iftikhar Shaheedi showing Abu Dhabi airport road at midday, with unusual clouds and drifting sand on the road.

The following day, Thursday, August 11, moderate to heavy rains continued to lash the eastern coast of the UAE.

Floods were reported in Fujairah, Kalba, Khor Fakkan and Dibba; while Ras Al Khaimah and its environs received intermittent rains for about half an hour.

Temperatures dropped considerably and waves reaching a height of three metres were reported between Kalba and Deba Al Hesn on the east coast, noted residents who said they had not seen such high waves since the 1970s.

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