5 precautionary warnings during unstable weather conditions

Yesterday, various regions of the country witnessed rainfall of varying intensity, especially in the northern and eastern regions, and it extended to some interior and western regions, with small hailstones falling in limited areas. Meanwhile, government agencies, including the police, emergency services, and meteorology, recently issued five important warnings to individuals and drivers, during the unstable weather conditions currently affecting the country, which will continue until the middle of this week, as it witnesses rain of varying intensity, and the formation of cumulonimbus clouds accompanied by active winds, which may lead to light objects flying and low horizontal visibility.

Its warnings included not approaching areas of flowing valleys and water accumulation, not driving the vehicle at high speeds, beingware of low horizontal visibility, being aware of the danger of strong downward winds, and avoiding open and high places during lightning and thunder.

It stressed the danger of neglecting safety procedures while driving in rainy weather, in addition to fines for vehicle drivers amounting to 2,000 dirhams when entering valleys while they are flowing.

In detail, the National Center of Meteorology stated that the country is affected during the current period by a surface depression extending from the south, and a depression in the upper atmosphere accompanied by a relatively cold and humid air mass.

The Center called for caution during heavy rains and strong winds descending from cumulonimbus clouds in some eastern regions, which may lead to solid objects flying and reduced horizontal visibility. He also called for staying away from places where valleys flow, slides, and pools of water.

He advised avoiding open or high places during the occurrence of lightning and thunder, paying attention to gusts of falling wind that may cause solid objects to fly, and sometimes low horizontal visibility, taking caution while driving vehicles in the event of rain, and staying away from areas where valleys flow.

For its part, the Abu Dhabi Media Office called for driving with caution, adhering to the modified speed limits, staying away from valley paths and floods, and ensuring the availability of first aid equipment and the availability of backup lighting.

He stated that rain of varying intensity is expected to fall on separate and limited areas in Al Ain and Al Dhafra, which may be heavy at times in some areas, accompanied by active to strong winds with cloud formation, and may be accompanied by the fall of small hailstones.

As for Abu Dhabi, light to moderate rain is expected in scattered and limited areas, which may extend to the interior areas, accompanied by moderate to active winds and clouds.

The National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority confirmed that it is following up, in coordination with the National Center of Meteorology, the Ministry of Interior, and a number of partners, developments in the weather situation expected during the coming days, which indicate that the country will be affected by unstable weather conditions until the middle of the week.

The authority reported that the concerned authorities are in a state of readiness and fully prepared to deal with any developments, with careful follow-up of weather updates on a regular basis, and continuous coordination between federal and local authorities.

The authority called on community members to follow the bulletins and warnings issued by the National Center of Meteorology through official channels, stay away from areas where water collects during rain, and take caution in order to preserve public safety.

Police leaders also called on drivers to adhere to safe driving on internal and external roads, during rain and weather fluctuations, and not to approach places where valleys flow or accumulate water, and to follow the instructions and instructions of the competent authorities in order to preserve everyone’s safety.

It urged road users to monitor the weather conditions before moving their vehicle, reduce speeds on the roads, and leave a sufficient safety distance between vehicles.

According to Ministerial Resolution No. 227 of 2023 regarding traffic control rules and procedures, the fine for gathering near places of valleys, torrents, and dams during rainy weather is 1,000 dirhams and six points, and entering valleys while they are flowing, regardless of their level of danger, is subject to a fine of 2,000 dirhams and 23 traffic points, impounding the vehicle for a period of 60 days, and hindering the competent authorities from carrying out their work regarding organizing traffic and traffic. Or ambulance and rescue during Emergencies, crises, rainfall, and valley flows: a fine of 1,000 dirhams, four traffic points, and vehicle impoundment for 60 days.