Rain-hit UAE returns to normalcy | Watch videos

Onmanorama Staff

Dubai/Abu Dhabi: A day after heavy rains and thunderstorm lashed its parched landscape triggering floods, the sun cleared the skies bringing back hoards of motorists in the United Arab Emirates back on the roads for their daily grind.

Weather reports suggested that the most parts of the country would see clear skies as the low pressure weakened. However, some of the areas may still experience minor rainfall.

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“The intensity of instability conditions will weaken during the afternoon, the gulfnews.com quoted a report from the UAE Met Officer. “The report also suggested that northern and eastern parts of the country will experience scattered rain showers.”

A delivery man rides his bike during heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday. AP

Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with reports of traffic jams and delayed public services from all across the country.

The Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai, tweeted alerts to road users.

Click for more tweets from RTA Dubai

Vehicles move as it rains in Dubai. Photo: Onmanorama

On Wednesday, A thunderstorm brought heavy rain to parts of the UAE, disrupting flights, flooding roads and forcing authorities to close schools the next day in the desert nation.

The flooded Danube Metro Station in Jebel Ali, Dubai after heavy rains. Photo: Onmanorama

Water poured through ceilings and whipped through streets in Dubai, the UAE's commercial capital. In Abu Dhabi, the hard rains forced the capital's stock market to halt trading and close for the day.

Heavy downpour accompanied with lightning hit the normal life in Sharjah too.

All schools across the seven-emirate federation will be closed Thursday, according to the state-owned The National newspaper of Abu Dhabi.

Some schools in Abu Dhabi cancelled classes on Thursday while those in Dubai closed early.

The rain temporarily halted flights at Abu Dhabi International Airport, the home of Etihad. The rain also delayed some flights at Dubai International Airport, the home of long-haul carrier Emirates.

Due to rains, the Dubai Global Village did not function on Wednesday. A concert of renowned percussionist Sivamani, scheduled for Thursday at the Global Village, has been postponed, officials said. The new date will be announced later.

The rains, started around 5 am on Wednesday, troubled those who travelled to their work places in the morning. Several vehicles are left stranded due to the showers.

The United Arab Emirates' National Center for Meteorology and Seismology had warned that heavy rains were possible on Wednesday. It said the unstable weather likely will continue into Thursday. After the rain, the temperature in Emirates is likely to go up.

Officials alerted the citizens that they should be careful while driving vehicles on flooded roads.

(With inputs from agencies)

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